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Glöckner HJ, Martinenaite E, Landkildehus Lisle T, Grauslund J, Ahmad S, Met Ö, Thor Straten P, Hald Andersen M. Arginase-1 specific CD8+ T cells react toward malignant and regulatory myeloid cells. Oncoimmunology 2024; 13:2318053. [PMID: 38404966 PMCID: PMC10885169 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2024.2318053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Arginase-1 (Arg1) is expressed by regulatory myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME), where they play a pro-tumorigenic and T-cell suppressive role. Arg1-specific CD4+ and CD8+ memory T cells have been observed in both healthy individuals and cancer patients. However, while the function of anti-regulatory Arg1-specific CD4+ T cells has been characterized, our knowledge of CD8+ Arg1-specific T cells is only scarce. In the current study, we describe the immune-modulatory capabilities of CD8+ Arg1-specific T cells. We generated CD8+ Arg1-specific T cell clones to target Arg1-expressing myeloid cells. Our results demonstrate that these T cells recognize both malignant and nonmalignant regulatory myeloid cells in an Arg1-expression-dependent manner. Notably, Arg1-specific CD8+ T cells possess cytolytic effector capabilities. Immune modulatory vaccines (IMVs) represent a novel treatment modality for cancer. The activation of Arg1-specific CD8+ T cells through Arg1-based IMVs can contribute to the modulatory effects of this treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Jorinde Glöckner
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, CCIT-DK, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Evelina Martinenaite
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, CCIT-DK, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
- IO Biotech, Research and Development Department, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Landkildehus Lisle
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, CCIT-DK, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Jacob Grauslund
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, CCIT-DK, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Shamaila Ahmad
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, CCIT-DK, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Özcan Met
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, CCIT-DK, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Per Thor Straten
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, CCIT-DK, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mads Hald Andersen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, CCIT-DK, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
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2
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Enemark MBH, Sørensen EF, Hybel TE, Andersen MD, Madsen C, Lauridsen KL, Honoré B, d'Amore F, Plesner TL, Hamilton-Dutoit SJ, Ludvigsen M. IDO1 Protein Is Expressed in Diagnostic Biopsies from Both Follicular and Transformed Follicular Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087314. [PMID: 37108483 PMCID: PMC10139172 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a lymphoid neoplasia characterized by an indolent clinical nature. Despite generally favorable prognoses, early progression and histological transformation (HT) to a more aggressive lymphoma histology remain the leading causes of death among FL patients. To provide a basis for possible novel treatment options, we set out to evaluate the expression levels of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), an immunoinhibitory checkpoint molecule, in follicular and transformed follicular biopsies. The expression levels of IDO1 were assessed using immunohistochemical staining and digital image analysis in lymphoma biopsies from 33 FL patients without subsequent HT (non-transforming FL, nt-FL) and 20 patients with subsequent HT (subsequently transforming FL, st-FL) as well as in paired high-grade biopsies from the time of HT (transformed FL, tFL). Despite no statistical difference in IDO1 expression levels seen between the groups, all diagnostic and transformed lymphomas exhibited positive expression, indicating its possible role in novel treatment regimens. In addition, IDO1 expression revealed a positive correlation with another immune checkpoint inhibitor, namely programmed death 1 (PD-1). In summary, we report IDO1 expression in all cases of FL and tFL, which provides the grounds for future investigations of anti-IDO1 therapy as a possible treatment for FL patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Beck Hairing Enemark
- Department of Hematology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Trine Engelbrecht Hybel
- Department of Hematology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Maja Dam Andersen
- Department of Hematology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Madsen
- Department of Hematology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Bent Honoré
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Francesco d'Amore
- Department of Hematology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | | | - Maja Ludvigsen
- Department of Hematology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
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3
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Schossig P, Coskun E, Arsenic R, Horst D, Sehouli J, Bergmann E, Andresen N, Sigler C, Busse A, Keller U, Ochsenreither S. Target Selection for T-Cell Therapy in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Systematic Prioritization of Self-Antigens. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032292. [PMID: 36768616 PMCID: PMC9916968 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Adoptive T cell-receptor therapy (ACT) could represent a promising approach in the targeted treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). However, the identification of suitable tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) as targets is challenging. We identified and prioritized TAAs for ACT and other immunotherapeutic interventions in EOC. A comprehensive list of pre-described TAAs was created and candidates were prioritized, using predefined weighted criteria. Highly ranked TAAs were immunohistochemically stained in a tissue microarray of 58 EOC samples to identify associations of TAA expression with grade, stage, response to platinum, and prognosis. Preselection based on expression data resulted in 38 TAAs, which were prioritized. Along with already published Cyclin A1, the TAAs KIF20A, CT45, and LY6K emerged as most promising targets, with high expression in EOC samples and several identified peptides in ligandome analysis. Expression of these TAAs showed prognostic relevance independent of molecular subtypes. By using a systematic vetting algorithm, we identified KIF20A, CT45, and LY6K to be promising candidates for immunotherapy in EOC. Results are supported by IHC and HLA-ligandome data. The described method might be helpful for the prioritization of TAAs in other tumor entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Schossig
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ebru Coskun
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ruza Arsenic
- Department of Pathology, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - David Horst
- Insitute of Pathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jalid Sehouli
- Department of Gynecology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Tumorbank Ovarian Cancer Network, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva Bergmann
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadine Andresen
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Sigler
- Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Antonia Busse
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrich Keller
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ochsenreither
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Cancer Immunology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Charité Comprehensive Cancer Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence:
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4
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Weis-Banke SE, Lisle TL, Perez-Penco M, Schina A, Hübbe ML, Siersbæk M, Holmström MO, Jørgensen MA, Marie Svane I, Met Ö, Ødum N, Madsen DH, Donia M, Grøntved L, Andersen MH. Arginase-2-specific cytotoxic T cells specifically recognize functional regulatory T cells. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-005326. [PMID: 36316062 PMCID: PMC9628693 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background High expression of the metabolic enzyme arginase-2 (ARG2) by cancer cells, regulatory immune cells, or cells of the tumor stroma can reduce the availability of arginine (L-Arg) in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Depletion of L-Arg has detrimental consequences for T cells and leads to T-cell dysfunction and suppression of anticancer immune responses. Previous work from our group has demonstrated the presence of proinflammatory ARG2-specific CD4 T cells that inhibited tumor growth in murine models on activation with ARG2-derived peptides. In this study, we investigated the natural occurrence of ARG2-specific CD8 T cells in both healthy donors (HDs) and patients with cancer, along with their immunomodulatory capabilities in the context of the TME. Materials and methods A library of 15 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted ARG2-derived peptides were screened in HD peripheral blood mononuclear cells using interferon gamma (IFN-γ) ELISPOT. ARG2-specific CD8 T-cell responses were identified using intracellular cytokine staining and ARG2-specific CD8 T-cell cultures were established by enrichment and rapid expansion following in vitro peptide stimulation. The reactivity of the cultures toward ARG2-expressing cells, including cancer cell lines and activated regulatory T cells (Tregs), was assessed using IFN-γ ELISPOT and a chromium release assay. The Treg signature was validated based on proliferation suppression assays, flow cytometry and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). In addition, vaccinations with ARG2-derived epitopes were performed in the murine Pan02 tumor model, and induction of ARG2-specific T-cell responses was evaluated with IFN-γ ELISPOT. RNAseq and subsequent GO-term and ImmuCC analysis was performed on the tumor tissue. Results We describe the existence of ARG2-specific CD8+ T cells and demonstrate these CD8+ T-cell responses in both HDs and patients with cancer. ARG2-specific T cells recognize and react to an ARG2-derived peptide presented in the context of HLA-B8 and exert their cytotoxic function against cancer cells with endogenous ARG2 expression. We demonstrate that ARG2-specific T cells can specifically recognize and react to activated Tregs with high ARG2 expression. Finally, we observe tumor growth suppression and antitumorigenic immunomodulation following ARG2 vaccination in an in vivo setting. Conclusion These findings highlight the ability of ARG2-specific T cells to modulate the immunosuppressive TME and suggest that ARG2-based immunomodulatory vaccines may be an interesting option for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stine Emilie Weis-Banke
- Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Herlev, Denmark
| | - Thomas Landkildehus Lisle
- Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Herlev, Denmark
| | - Maria Perez-Penco
- Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Herlev, Denmark
| | - Aimilia Schina
- Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mie Linder Hübbe
- Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Herlev, Denmark
| | - Majken Siersbæk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Morten Orebo Holmström
- Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mia Aaboe Jørgensen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Herlev, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Herlev, Denmark
| | - Özcan Met
- Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Herlev, Denmark
| | - Niels Ødum
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Daniel Hargbøl Madsen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Herlev, Denmark
| | - Marco Donia
- Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Herlev, Denmark
| | - Lars Grøntved
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mads Hald Andersen
- Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Herlev, Denmark .,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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5
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Abstract
The identification and characterization of tumor antigens are central objectives in developing anti-cancer immunotherapy. Traditionally, tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) are considered relatively restricted to tumor cells (i.e., overexpressed proteins in tumor cells), whereas tumor-specific antigens (TSAs) are considered unique to tumor cells. Recent studies have focused on identifying patient-specific neoantigens, which might be highly immunogenic because they are not expressed in normal tissues. The opposite strategy has emerged with the discovery of anti-regulatory T cells (anti-Tregs) that recognize and attack many cell types in the tumor microenvironment, such as regulatory immune cells, in addition to tumor cells. The term proposed in this review is "tumor microenvironment antigens" (TMAs) to describe the antigens that draw this attack. As therapeutic targets, TMAs offer several advantages that differentiate them from more traditional tumor antigens. Targeting TMAs leads not only to a direct attack on tumor cells but also to modulation of the tumor microenvironment, rendering it immunocompetent and tumor-hostile. Of note, in contrast to TAAs and TSAs, TMAs also are expressed in non-transformed cells with consistent human leukocyte antigen (HLA) expression. Inflammation often induces HLA expression in malignant cells, so that targeting TMAs could additionally affect tumors with no or very low levels of surface HLA expression. This review defines the characteristics, differences, and advantages of TMAs compared with traditional tumor antigens and discusses the use of these antigens in immune modulatory vaccines as an attractive approach to immunotherapy. Different TMAs are expressed by different cells and could be combined in anti-cancer immunotherapies to attack tumor cells directly and modulate local immune cells to create a tumor-hostile microenvironment and inhibit tumor angiogenesis. Immune modulatory vaccines offer an approach for combinatorial therapy with additional immunotherapy including checkpoint blockade, cellular therapy, or traditional cancer vaccines. These combinations would increase the number of patients who can benefit from such therapeutic measures, which all have optimal efficiency in inflamed tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mads Hald Andersen
- National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Borgmester Ib Juuls Vej 25C, 5th floor, DK-2730, Herlev, Denmark.
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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6
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Alarcon NO, Jaramillo M, Mansour HM, Sun B. Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines—Antigen Discovery and Adjuvant Delivery Platforms. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14071448. [PMID: 35890342 PMCID: PMC9325128 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14071448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, vaccines have played a significant role in protecting public and personal health against infectious diseases and proved their great potential in battling cancers as well. This review focused on the current progress of therapeutic subunit vaccines for cancer immunotherapy. Antigens and adjuvants are key components of vaccine formulations. We summarized several classes of tumor antigens and bioinformatic approaches of identification of tumor neoantigens. Pattern recognition receptor (PRR)-targeting adjuvants and their targeted delivery platforms have been extensively discussed. In addition, we emphasized the interplay between multiple adjuvants and their combined delivery for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neftali Ortega Alarcon
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (N.O.A.); (M.J.); (H.M.M.)
| | - Maddy Jaramillo
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (N.O.A.); (M.J.); (H.M.M.)
| | - Heidi M. Mansour
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (N.O.A.); (M.J.); (H.M.M.)
- The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
- BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Bo Sun
- Skaggs Pharmaceutical Sciences Center, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (N.O.A.); (M.J.); (H.M.M.)
- The University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-520-621-6420
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Hosseinalizadeh H, Mahmoodpour M, Samadani AA, Roudkenar MH. The immunosuppressive role of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase in glioblastoma: mechanism of action and immunotherapeutic strategies. Med Oncol 2022; 39:130. [PMID: 35716323 PMCID: PMC9206138 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01724-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a fatal brain tumor in adults with a bleak diagnosis. Expansion of immunosuppressive and malignant CD4 + FoxP3 + GITR + regulatory T cells is one of the hallmarks of GBM. Importantly, most of the patients with GBM expresses the tryptophan-degrading enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). While IDO1 is generally not expressed at appreciable levels in the adult central nervous system, it is rapidly stimulated and highly expressed in response to ongoing immune surveillance in cancer. Increased levels of immune surveillance in cancer are thus related to higher intratumoral IDO expression levels and, as a result, a worse OS in GBM patients. Conversion of the important amino acid tryptophan into downstream catabolite known as kynurenines is the major function of IDO. Decreasing tryptophan and increasing the concentration of immunomodulatory tryptophan metabolites has been shown to induce T-cell apoptosis, increase immunosuppressive programming, and death of tumor antigen-presenting dendritic cells. This observation supported the immunotherapeutic strategy, and the targeted molecular therapy that suppresses IDO1 activity. We review the current understanding of the role of IDO1 in tumor immunological escape in brain tumors, the immunomodulatory effects of its primary catabolites, preclinical research targeting this enzymatic pathway, and various issues that need to be overcome to increase the prospective immunotherapeutic relevance in the treatment of GBM malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Hosseinalizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Mahmoodpour
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Samadani
- Guilan Road Trauma Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Mehryar Habibi Roudkenar
- Burn and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Velayat Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Parastar St., 41887-94755, Rasht, Iran.
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8
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Nandre R, Verma V, Gaur P, Patil V, Yang X, Ramlaoui Z, Shobaki N, Andersen MH, Pedersen AW, Zocca MB, Mkrtichyan M, Gupta S, Khleif SN. IDO Vaccine Ablates Immune-Suppressive Myeloid Populations and Enhances Antitumor Effects Independent of Tumor Cell IDO Status. Cancer Immunol Res 2022; 10:571-580. [PMID: 35290437 PMCID: PMC9381100 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-21-0457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) does not allow generation and expansion of antitumor effector cells. One of the potent immunosuppressive factors present in the TME is the indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) enzyme, produced mainly by cancer cells and suppressive immune cells of myeloid origin. In fact, IDO+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and dendritic cells (DC) tend to be more suppressive than their IDO- counterparts. Hence, therapeutic approaches that would target the IDO+ cells in the TME, while sparing the antigen-presenting functions of IDO- myeloid populations, are needed. Using an IDO-specific peptide vaccine (IDO vaccine), we explored the possibility of generating effector cells against IDO and non-IDO tumor-derived antigens. For this, IDO-secreting (B16F10 melanoma) and non-IDO-secreting (TC-1) mouse tumor models were employed. We showed that the IDO vaccine significantly reduced tumor growth and enhanced survival of mice in both the tumor models, which associated with a robust induction of IDO-specific effector cells in the TME. The IDO vaccine significantly enhanced the antitumor efficacy of non-IDO tumor antigen-specific vaccines, leading to an increase in the number of total and antigen-specific activated CD8+ T cells (IFNγ+ and granzyme B+). Treatment with the IDO vaccine significantly reduced the numbers of IDO+ MDSCs and DCs, and immunosuppressive regulatory T cells in both tumor models, resulting in enhanced therapeutic ratios. Together, we showed that vaccination against IDO is a promising therapeutic option for both IDO-producing and non-IDO-producing tumors. The IDO vaccine selectively ablates the IDO+ compartment in the TME, leading to a significant enhancement of the immune responses against other tumor antigen-specific vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Nandre
- The Center for Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Loop Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Vivek Verma
- The Center for Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Loop Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Pankaj Gaur
- The Center for Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Loop Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Veerupaxagouda Patil
- The Center for Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Loop Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Xingdong Yang
- The Center for Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Loop Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Zainab Ramlaoui
- The Center for Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Loop Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Nour Shobaki
- The Center for Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Loop Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | | | | | | | - Mikayel Mkrtichyan
- The Center for Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Loop Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Seema Gupta
- The Center for Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Loop Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
| | - Samir N. Khleif
- The Center for Immunology and Immunotherapy, The Loop Immuno-Oncology Laboratory, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
- Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia
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9
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Dey S, Sutanto-Ward E, Kopp KL, DuHadaway J, Mondal A, Ghaban D, Lecoq I, Zocca MB, Merlo LMF, Mandik-Nayak L, Andersen MH, Pedersen AW, Muller AJ. Peptide vaccination directed against IDO1-expressing immune cells elicits CD8 + and CD4 + T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity and enhanced anti-PD1 responses. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2020-000605. [PMID: 32690770 PMCID: PMC7373332 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The tryptophan-catabolizing enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), which subverts T-cell immunity at multiple levels, is itself subject to inherent T-cell reactivity. This intriguing deviation from central tolerance has been interpreted as counterbalancing IDO1-mediated immunosuppression. Based on this hypothesis, clinical studies employing an IDO1 peptide-based vaccine approach for cancer treatment have been initiated, but there remains a pressing need to further investigate the immunological ramifications of stimulating the anti-IDO1 T-cell response in this manner. Methods CT26 colon carcinoma tumors were evaluated for expression of IDO1 protein by western blot analysis, immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Mouse IDO1-derived peptides, predicted to bind either major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I or II of the H2d BALB/c strain, were emulsified in 50% Montanide for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine treatment of CT26 tumor-bearing mice initiated either 7 days prior to or following tumor cell injection, respectively. In some therapeutic treatment experiments, administration of programmed cell death protein 1-binding antibody (anti-PD1 antibody) or epacadostat was concurrently initiated. Tumor size was determined by caliper measurements and comparative tumor growth suppression was assessed by longitudinal analyses of tumor growth data. For adoptive transfer, T cells from complete responder animals were isolated using paramagnetic beads and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Results This study identifies mouse MHC class I-directed and II-directed, IDO1-derived peptides capable of eliciting antitumor responses, despite finding IDO1 expressed exclusively in tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Treatment of established tumors with anti-PD1 antibody and class I-directed but not class II-directed IDO1 peptide vaccines produced an enhanced antitumor response. Likewise, class I-directed and II-directed IDO1 peptides elicited an enhanced combinatorial response, suggesting distinct mechanisms of action. Consistent with this interpretation, adoptive transfer of isolated CD8+ T cells from class I and CD4+ T cells from class II peptide-vaccinated responder mice delayed tumor growth. The class II-directed response was completely IDO1-dependent while the class I-directed response included an IDO1-independent component consistent with antigen spread. Conclusions The in vivo antitumor effects demonstrated with IDO1-based vaccines via targeting of the tumor microenvironment highlight the utility of mouse models for further exploration and refinement of this novel vaccine-based approach to IDO1-directed cancer therapy and its potential to improve patient response rates to anti-PD1 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souvik Dey
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | - James DuHadaway
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Arpita Mondal
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dema Ghaban
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, USA.,Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | - Lauren M F Merlo
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Mads Hald Andersen
- IO Biotech ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark.,National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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10
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Krupa A, Kowalska I. The Kynurenine Pathway-New Linkage between Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Autoimmune Endocrinopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9879. [PMID: 34576041 PMCID: PMC8469440 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The kynurenine pathway (KP) is highly regulated in the immune system, where it promotes immunosuppression in response to infection or inflammation. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), the main enzyme of KP, has a broad spectrum of activity on immune cells regulation, controlling the balance between stimulation and suppression of the immune system at sites of local inflammation, relevant to a wide range of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Various autoimmune diseases, among them endocrinopathies, have been identified to date, but despite significant progress in their diagnosis and treatment, they are still associated with significant complications, morbidity, and mortality. The precise cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to the onset and development of autoimmune disease remain poorly clarified so far. In breaking of tolerance, the cells of the innate immunity provide a decisive microenvironment that regulates immune cells' differentiation, leading to activation of adaptive immunity. The current review provided a comprehensive presentation of the known role of IDO1 and KP activation in the regulation of the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. Significant attention has been paid to the immunoregulatory role of IDO1 in the most prevalent, organ-specific autoimmune endocrinopathies-type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and autoimmune thyroiditis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Krupa
- Department of Internal Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Bialystok, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 24A, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Irina Kowalska
- Department of Internal Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Bialystok, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 24A, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland
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11
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A phase 1/2 trial of an immune-modulatory vaccine against IDO/PD-L1 in combination with nivolumab in metastatic melanoma. Nat Med 2021; 27:2212-2223. [PMID: 34887574 PMCID: PMC8904254 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-021-01544-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Anti-programmed death (PD)-1 (aPD1) therapy is an effective treatment for metastatic melanoma (MM); however, over 50% of patients progress due to resistance. We tested a first-in-class immune-modulatory vaccine (IO102/IO103) against indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and PD ligand 1 (PD-L1), targeting immunosuppressive cells and tumor cells expressing IDO and/or PD-L1 (IDO/PD-L1), combined with nivolumab. Thirty aPD1 therapy-naive patients with MM were treated in a phase 1/2 study ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ , NCT03047928). The primary endpoint was feasibility and safety; the systemic toxicity profile was comparable to that of nivolumab monotherapy. Secondary endpoints were efficacy and immunogenicity; an objective response rate (ORR) of 80% (confidence interval (CI), 62.7-90.5%) was reached, with 43% (CI, 27.4-60.8%) complete responses. After a median follow-up of 22.9 months, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 26 months (CI, 15.4-69 months). Median overall survival (OS) was not reached. Vaccine-specific responses assessed in vitro were detected in the blood of >93% of patients during vaccination. Vaccine-reactive T cells comprised CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with activity against IDO- and PD-L1-expressing cancer and immune cells. T cell influx of peripherally expanded T cells into tumor sites was observed in responding patients, and general enrichment of IDO- and PD-L1-specific clones after treatment was documented. These clinical efficacy and favorable safety data support further validation in a larger randomized trial to confirm the clinical potential of this immunomodulating approach.
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12
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Schollbach J, Kircher S, Wiegering A, Anger F, Rosenwald A, Germer CT, Löb S. The local immune phenotype influences prognosis in patients with nodal-positive rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Int J Colorectal Dis 2020; 35:365-370. [PMID: 31828368 DOI: 10.1007/s00384-019-03466-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INDROCUTION The local immune contexture in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) has important prognostic value after neoadjuvant chemoradiation and surgical resection. In this study, we examined the prognostic role of Indoleamine-2,3-Dioxygenase (IDO1) and infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+) according to the nodal stage of LARC patients. MASTERIAL AND METHODS Expression of IDO1 and CD8 was evaluated through immunohistochemistry in 106 archival tumour tissue samples from patients following neoadjuvant chemoradiation and radical resection. The average infiltration of IDO1+ and CD8+ cells was calculated and expressed as total scores as previously described. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to describe overall and disease-free survival. RESULTS In nodal-positive tumours (N+), IDO-positivity was associated with a reduced disease-free survival (DFS) (p = 0.063) and CD8-positivity with an impaired OS (p = 0.024). Patients with a N+ LARC and a high total IDO1 score showed a clear advantage regarding five-year disease-free survival rates compared with patients with a low total IDO1 score (N+ 5y-DFS IDO1 high: 66.7% vs IDO low: 19%). We also detected better 5-years-OS rates in N+ LARC with a high total CD8 score (N+ 5y-OS CD8 high: 83.3% vs CD8 low: 32.3%). These survival benefits were not evident in patients with N-tumours. CONCLUSION Analysis of the local CD8 and IDO1 expression influences prognosis in nodal-positive LARC patients after multimodal therapy and may be a helpful tool in specifying individual adjuvant treatment strategies according to different immune profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Schollbach
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Kircher
- Department of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Armin Wiegering
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.,Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocentre, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Centre Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Friedrich Anger
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Rosenwald
- Department of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Centre Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christoph-Thomas Germer
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.,Comprehensive Cancer Centre Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Löb
- Department of General, Visceral, Transplantation, Vascular and Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany. .,Comprehensive Cancer Centre Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
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13
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Opitz CA, Somarribas Patterson LF, Mohapatra SR, Dewi DL, Sadik A, Platten M, Trump S. The therapeutic potential of targeting tryptophan catabolism in cancer. Br J Cancer 2020; 122:30-44. [PMID: 31819194 PMCID: PMC6964670 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-019-0664-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on its effects on both tumour cell intrinsic malignant properties as well as anti-tumour immune responses, tryptophan catabolism has emerged as an important metabolic regulator of cancer progression. Three enzymes, indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 and 2 (IDO1/2) and tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2), catalyse the first step of the degradation of the essential amino acid tryptophan (Trp) to kynurenine (Kyn). The notion of inhibiting IDO1 using small-molecule inhibitors elicited high hopes of a positive impact in the field of immuno-oncology, by restoring anti-tumour immune responses and synergising with other immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibition. However, clinical trials with IDO1 inhibitors have yielded disappointing results, hence raising many questions. This review will discuss strategies to target Trp-degrading enzymes and possible down-stream consequences of their inhibition. We aim to provide comprehensive background information on Trp catabolic enzymes as targets in immuno-oncology and their current state of development. Details of the clinical trials with IDO1 inhibitors, including patient stratification, possible effects of the inhibitors themselves, effects of pre-treatments and the therapies the inhibitors were combined with, are discussed and mechanisms proposed that might have compensated for IDO1 inhibition. Finally, alternative approaches are suggested to circumvent these problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane A Opitz
- DKTK Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- Neurology Clinic and National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Luis F Somarribas Patterson
- DKTK Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Soumya R Mohapatra
- DKTK Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dyah L Dewi
- DKTK Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery - Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada/Dr Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia
| | - Ahmed Sadik
- DKTK Brain Cancer Metabolism Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Platten
- DKTK Clinical Cooperation Unit Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor Immunology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Saskia Trump
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Unit for Molecular Epidemiology, Berlin, Germany
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14
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Yu C, Liu X, Yang J, Zhang M, Jin H, Ma X, Shi H. Combination of Immunotherapy With Targeted Therapy: Theory and Practice in Metastatic Melanoma. Front Immunol 2019; 10:990. [PMID: 31134073 PMCID: PMC6513976 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma is the most aggressive and obstinate skin cancer with poor prognosis. Variant novel applicable regimens have emerged during the past decades intensively, while the most profound approaches are oncogene-targeted therapy and T-lymphocyte mediated immunotherapy. Although targeted therapies generated remarkable and rapid clinical responses in the majority of patients, acquired resistance was developed promptly within months leading to tumor relapse. By contrast, immunotherapies elicited long-term tumor regression. However, the overall response rate was limited. In view of the above, either targeted therapy or immunotherapy cannot elicit durable clinical responses in large range of patients. Interestingly, the advantages and limitations of these regimens happened to be complementary. An increasing number of preclinical studies and clinical trials proved a synergistic antitumor effect with the combination of targeted therapy and immunotherapy, implying a promising prospect for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. In order to achieve a better therapeutic effectiveness and reduce toxicity in patients, great efforts need to be made to illuminate multifaceted interplay between targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chune Yu
- Laboratory of Tumor Targeted and Immune Therapy, Clinical Research Center for Breast, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaowei Liu
- Laboratory of Tumor Targeted and Immune Therapy, Clinical Research Center for Breast, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiqiao Yang
- Laboratory of Tumor Targeted and Immune Therapy, Clinical Research Center for Breast, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Laboratory of Tumor Targeted and Immune Therapy, Clinical Research Center for Breast, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongyu Jin
- Department of Liver Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuelei Ma
- Laboratory of Tumor Targeted and Immune Therapy, Clinical Research Center for Breast, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hubing Shi
- Laboratory of Tumor Targeted and Immune Therapy, Clinical Research Center for Breast, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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15
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Schollbach J, Kircher S, Wiegering A, Seyfried F, Klein I, Rosenwald A, Germer CT, Löb S. Prognostic value of tumour-infiltrating CD8+ lymphocytes in rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation: is indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) a friend or foe? Cancer Immunol Immunother 2019; 68:563-575. [PMID: 30671614 PMCID: PMC11028246 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-019-02306-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The prognostic value of the local immune phenotype in patients with colorectal cancer has been extensively studied. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy may potentially influence these immune responses. In this study, we examined the prognostic role of indoleamine-2,3-Dioxygenase (IDO1) and infiltrating cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+) in locally advanced rectal carcinomas after neoadjuvant treatment. Expression of IDO1 and CD8 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 106 archival tumour tissue samples from patients following neoadjuvant chemoradiation and radical resection. The average infiltration of IDO1+ and CD8+ cells was calculated along the tumour invasive front, in the tumour centre and within the neoplastic cells and expressed as total scores. Of the tumour specimens evaluable for immunohistochemistry, 100% showed CD8+ lymphocyte infiltration and 93.4% stained positive for IDO1. Total IDO1 score positively correlated with total CD8 score for all three subsites (p = 0.002, Kendall-tau-b 0.357). A high total CD8 score was positively correlated with lower ypUICC-stages (p = 0.047) and lower ypT-categories (p = 0.032). Total IDO1 expression showed a clear trend towards a lower risk of recurrence (p = 0.078). A high total IDO1 score was an independent prognostic marker for prolonged disease-free survival (HR 0.38, p = 0.046) and a high total CD8 score for favourable overall survival (HR 0.16, p = 0.029). Analysis of the local CD8 and IDO1 expression profile may be a helpful tool in predicting prognosis for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer following neoadjuvant chemoradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Schollbach
- Department of General-, Visceral-, Transplant-, Vascular- and Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Kircher
- Department of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Armin Wiegering
- Department of General-, Visceral-, Transplant-, Vascular- and Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
- Theodor Boveri Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Florian Seyfried
- Department of General-, Visceral-, Transplant-, Vascular- and Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ingo Klein
- Department of General-, Visceral-, Transplant-, Vascular- and Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Rosenwald
- Department of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christoph-Thomas Germer
- Department of General-, Visceral-, Transplant-, Vascular- and Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Löb
- Department of General-, Visceral-, Transplant-, Vascular- and Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, Oberdürrbacherstr. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 6, 97080, Würzburg, Germany.
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16
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Domblides C, Lartigue L, Faustin B. Control of the Antitumor Immune Response by Cancer Metabolism. Cells 2019; 8:cells8020104. [PMID: 30708988 PMCID: PMC6406288 DOI: 10.3390/cells8020104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells and immune escape are two major hallmarks of cancer cells. The metabolic changes that occur during tumorigenesis, enabling survival and proliferation, are described for both solid and hematological malignancies. Concurrently, tumor cells have deployed mechanisms to escape immune cell recognition and destruction. Additionally, therapeutic blocking of tumor-mediated immunosuppression has proven to have an unprecedented positive impact in clinical oncology. Increased evidence suggests that cancer metabolism not only plays a crucial role in cancer signaling for sustaining tumorigenesis and survival, but also has wider implications in the regulation of antitumor immune signaling through both the release of signaling molecules and the expression of immune membrane ligands. Here, we review these molecular events to highlight the contribution of cancer cell metabolic reprogramming on the shaping of the antitumor immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Domblides
- Bordeaux University, CNRS, UMR 5164, ImmunoConcEpT, 33000 Bordeaux, France.
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hôpital Saint-André, Bordeaux University Hospital-CHU, 33000 Bordeaux, France.
| | - Lydia Lartigue
- Curematch, Inc., 6440 Lusk Bvld, San Diego, CA 92121, USA.
| | - Benjamin Faustin
- Bordeaux University, CNRS, UMR 5164, ImmunoConcEpT, 33000 Bordeaux, France.
- Cellomet, CGFB, 146 Rue léo Saignat, F-33000 Bordeaux, France.
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17
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Andersen MH. The T-win® technology: immune-modulating vaccines. Semin Immunopathol 2018; 41:87-95. [PMID: 29968045 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-018-0695-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The T-win® technology is an innovative investigational approach designed to activate the body's endogenous anti-regulatory T cells (anti-Tregs) to target regulatory as well as malignant cells. Anti-Tregs are naturally occurring T cells that can directly react against regulatory immune cells because they recognize proteins that these targets express, including indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), tryptophan 2,6-dioxygenase, arginase, and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1). The T-win® technology is characterized by therapeutic vaccination with long peptide epitopes derived from these antigens and therefore offers a novel way to target genetically stable cells with regular human leukocyte antigen expression in the tumor microenvironment. The T-win® technology thus also represents a novel way to attract pro-inflammatory cells to the tumor microenvironment where they can directly affect immune inhibitory pathways, potentially altering tolerance to tumor antigens. The modification of an immune regulatory environment into a pro-inflammatory milieu potentiates effective anti-tumor T cell responses. Many regulatory immune cells may be reverted into effector cells given the right stimulus. Because T-win® technology is based on the immune-modulatory function of the vaccines, the vaccines activate both CD4 and CD8 anti-Tregs. Of importance, in clinical trials, vaccinations against IDO or PD-L1 to potentiate anti-Tregs have so far proved to be safe, with minimal toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mads Hald Andersen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, DK-2730, Herlev, Denmark. .,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,IO Biotech ApS, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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18
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Andersen MH. The Balance Players of the Adaptive Immune System. Cancer Res 2018; 78:1379-1382. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-3607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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19
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Jochems C, Fantini M, Fernando RI, Kwilas AR, Donahue RN, Lepone LM, Grenga I, Kim YS, Brechbiel MW, Gulley JL, Madan RA, Heery CR, Hodge JW, Newton R, Schlom J, Tsang KY. The IDO1 selective inhibitor epacadostat enhances dendritic cell immunogenicity and lytic ability of tumor antigen-specific T cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:37762-37772. [PMID: 27192116 PMCID: PMC5122347 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Epacadostat is a novel inhibitor of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) that suppresses systemic tryptophan catabolism and is currently being evaluated in ongoing clinical trials. We investigated the effects of epacadostat on (a) human dendritic cells (DCs) with respect to maturation and ability to activate human tumor antigen-specific cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) lines, and subsequent T-cell lysis of tumor cells, (b) human regulatory T cells (Tregs), and (c) human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro. Simultaneous treatment with epacadostat and IFN-γ plus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) did not change the phenotype of matured human DCs, and as expected decreased the tryptophan breakdown and kynurenine production. Peptide-specific T-cell lines stimulated with DCs pulsed with peptide produced significantly more IFN-γ, TNFα, GM-CSF and IL-8 if the DCs were treated with epacadostat. These T cells also displayed higher levels of tumor cell lysis on a per cell basis. Epacadostat also significantly decreased Treg proliferation induced by IDO production from IFN-γ plus LPS matured human DCs, although the Treg phenotype did not change. Multicolor flow cytometry was performed on human PBMCs treated with epacadostat; analysis of 123 discrete immune cell subsets revealed no changes in major immune cell types, an increase in activated CD83+ conventional DCs, and a decrease in immature activated Tim3+ NK cells. These studies show for the first time several effects of epacadostat on human DCs, and subsequent effects on CTL and Tregs, and provide a rationale as to how epacadostat could potentially increase the efficacy of immunotherapeutics, including cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Jochems
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Massimo Fantini
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Romaine I Fernando
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anna R Kwilas
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Renee N Donahue
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lauren M Lepone
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Italia Grenga
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Young-Seung Kim
- Radioimmune Inorganic Chemistry Section, Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Martin W Brechbiel
- Radioimmune Inorganic Chemistry Section, Radiation Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - James L Gulley
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ravi A Madan
- Genitourinary Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christopher R Heery
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - James W Hodge
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey Schlom
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kwong Y Tsang
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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20
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Martinenaite E, Mortensen REJ, Hansen M, Orebo Holmström M, Munir Ahmad S, Grønne Dahlager Jørgensen N, Met Ö, Donia M, Svane IM, Andersen MH. Frequent adaptive immune responses against arginase-1. Oncoimmunology 2017; 7:e1404215. [PMID: 29399404 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1404215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The enzyme arginase-1 reduces the availability of arginine to tumor-infiltrating immune cells, thus reducing T-cell functionality in the tumor milieu. Arginase-1 is expressed by some cancer cells and by immune inhibitory cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and its expression is associated with poor prognosis. In the present study, we divided the arginase-1 protein sequence into overlapping 20-amino-acid-long peptides, generating a library of 31 peptides covering the whole arginase-1 sequence. Reactivity towards this peptide library was examined in PBMCs from cancer patients and healthy individuals. IFNγ ELISPOT revealed frequent immune responses against multiple arginase-1-derived peptides. We further identified a hot-spot region within the arginase-1 protein sequence containing multiple epitopes recognized by T cells. Next, we examined in vitro-expanded tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) isolated from melanoma patients, and detected arginase-1-specific T cells that reacted against epitopes from the hot-spot region. Arginase-1-specific CD4+T cells could be isolated and expanded from peripheral T cell pool of a patient with melanoma, and further demonstrated the specificity and reactivity of these T cells. Overall, we showed that arginase-1-specific T cells were capable of recognizing arginase-1-expressing cells. The activation of arginase-1-specific T cells by vaccination is an attractive approach to target arginase-1-expressing malignant cells and inhibitory immune cells. In the clinical setting, the induction of arginase-1-specific immune responses could induce or increase Th1 inflammation at the sites of tumors that are otherwise excluded due to infiltration with MDSCs and TAMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelina Martinenaite
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Morten Hansen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Morten Orebo Holmström
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Hematology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Shamaila Munir Ahmad
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Özcan Met
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marco Donia
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mads Hald Andersen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Hematology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark
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21
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Inflammatory Reprogramming with IDO1 Inhibitors: Turning Immunologically Unresponsive 'Cold' Tumors 'Hot'. Trends Cancer 2017; 4:38-58. [PMID: 29413421 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
We discuss how small-molecule inhibitors of the tryptophan (Trp) catabolic enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) represent a vanguard of new immunometabolic adjuvants to safely enhance the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy, radiotherapy, or 'immunogenic' chemotherapy by leveraging responses to tumor neoantigens. IDO inhibitors re-program inflammatory processes to help clear tumors by blunting tumor neovascularization and restoring immunosurveillance. Studies of regulatory and effector pathways illuminate IDO as an inflammatory modifier. Recent work suggests that coordinate targeting of the Trp catabolic enzymes tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) and IDO2 may also safely broaden efficacy. Understanding IDO inhibitors as adjuvants to turn immunologically 'cold' tumors 'hot' can seed new concepts in how to improve the efficacy of cancer therapy while limiting collateral damage.
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22
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Schuster H, Peper JK, Bösmüller HC, Röhle K, Backert L, Bilich T, Ney B, Löffler MW, Kowalewski DJ, Trautwein N, Rabsteyn A, Engler T, Braun S, Haen SP, Walz JS, Schmid-Horch B, Brucker SY, Wallwiener D, Kohlbacher O, Fend F, Rammensee HG, Stevanović S, Staebler A, Wagner P. The immunopeptidomic landscape of ovarian carcinomas. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:E9942-E9951. [PMID: 29093164 PMCID: PMC5699044 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1707658114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies, particularly checkpoint inhibitors, have set off a revolution in cancer therapy by releasing the power of the immune system. However, only little is known about the antigens that are essentially presented on cancer cells, capable of exposing them to immune cells. Large-scale HLA ligandome analysis has enabled us to exhaustively characterize the immunopeptidomic landscape of epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs). Additional comparative profiling with the immunopeptidome of a variety of benign sources has unveiled a multitude of ovarian cancer antigens (MUC16, MSLN, LGALS1, IDO1, KLK10) to be presented by HLA class I and class II molecules exclusively on ovarian cancer cells. Most strikingly, ligands derived from mucin 16 and mesothelin, a molecular axis of prognostic importance in EOC, are prominent in a majority of patients. Differential gene-expression analysis has allowed us to confirm the relevance of these targets for EOC and further provided important insights into the relationship between gene transcript levels and HLA ligand presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heiko Schuster
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Immatics Biotechnologies GmbH, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Janet K Peper
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Kevin Röhle
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Linus Backert
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Applied Bioinformatics, Center for Bioinformatics and Department of Computer Science, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tatjana Bilich
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Britta Ney
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Markus W Löffler
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniel J Kowalewski
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Immatics Biotechnologies GmbH, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nico Trautwein
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Armin Rabsteyn
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Engler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sabine Braun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sebastian P Haen
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Juliane S Walz
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Barbara Schmid-Horch
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sara Y Brucker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Diethelm Wallwiener
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Kohlbacher
- Applied Bioinformatics, Center for Bioinformatics and Department of Computer Science, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
- Quantitative Biology Center, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Biomolecular interactions, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Falko Fend
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Rammensee
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Stevanović
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) partner site Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Annette Staebler
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany;
| | - Philipp Wagner
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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23
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Nitschke NJ, Bjoern J, Iversen TZ, Andersen MH, Svane IM. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and survivin peptide vaccine combined with temozolomide in metastatic melanoma. Stem Cell Investig 2017; 4:77. [PMID: 29057249 DOI: 10.21037/sci.2017.08.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and survivin have been identified as potential targets for cancer vaccination. In this phase II study a vaccine using the peptides Sur1M2 and IDO5 was combined with the chemotherapy temozolomide (TMZ) for treatment of metastatic melanoma patients. The aim was to simultaneously target several immune inhibiting mechanisms and the highly malignant cells expressing survivin. METHODS HLA-A2 positive patients with advanced malignant melanoma were treated biweekly with 150 mg/m2 TMZ daily for 7 days followed by subcutaneous vaccination with 250 µg of each peptide in 500 µL Montanide solution at day 8. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor was used as an adjuvant and topical imiquimod was applied prior to vaccination. Treatment was continued until disease progression. Clinical response was evaluated by PET-CT and immunological outcome was assessed by ELISPOT and flow cytometry. RESULTS In total, 17 patients were treated with a clinical benefit rate of 18% including one patient with partial tumor regression. Immune analyses revealed a vaccine specific response in 8 (67%) of 12 patients tested, a significant decrease in the frequency of CD4+ T-cells during treatment, a tendency towards decreasing frequencies of naïve CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells, and increasing frequencies of memory CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that vaccine-induced immunity towards survivin and IDO-derived peptides can be achieved in combination with TMZ in patients mainly suffering from grade M1c melanoma including patients with brain metastases. A significant clinical activity could not be proven in this small study and a larger setup is needed to properly assess clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaj Juul Nitschke
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Hematology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Jon Bjoern
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Hematology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Mads Hald Andersen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Hematology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Hematology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
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24
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Bjoern J, Iversen TZ, Nitschke NJ, Andersen MH, Svane IM. Safety, immune and clinical responses in metastatic melanoma patients vaccinated with a long peptide derived from indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in combination with ipilimumab. Cytotherapy 2017; 18:1043-1055. [PMID: 27378345 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2016.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIM Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an emerging new target in cancer therapy that can be targeted with active immunotherapy (e.g. through peptide vaccination). Furthermore, IDO has been identified as a key mechanism underlying resistance to treatment with the checkpoint blocking antibody ipilimumab (ipi). METHODS Ten patients with metastatic melanoma participated in a phase I first-in-human clinical study assessing safety of combining ipi with a 21-mer synthetic peptide vaccine from IDO denoted IDOlong. Secondary and tertiary end points included vaccine and clinical response. RESULTS Treatment was generally safe and well tolerated. Vaccine related adverse reactions included grade I and II erythema, oedema and pruritus at the vaccination site, which were manageable with mild topical corticosteroids. One patient developed presumed ipi-induced colitis. It initially responded to high-dose parenteral corticosteroids but later relapsed while the patient was admitted to a local hospital, where he died after receiving suboptimal therapy. Vaccine-specific T-cell responses were detectable ex vivo in three patients. At first evaluation, five of the 10 treated patients were in stable disease, one of whom had an unconfirmed partial response. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with IDOlong synthetic peptide vaccine in combination with ipi was generally safe and without augmented toxicity. The vaccine induced readily detectable T-cell responses in a subset of patients. Treatment showed signs of clinical activity, although not exceeding efficacy of ipi alone. Results should be confirmed in a larger study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Bjoern
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark; Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | | | - Nikolaj Juul Nitschke
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mads Hald Andersen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark; Department of Oncology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark.
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25
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Dunavin N, Dias A, Li M, McGuirk J. Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: What Is the Mechanism in Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease? Biomedicines 2017; 5:biomedicines5030039. [PMID: 28671556 PMCID: PMC5618297 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines5030039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
After more than a decade of preclinical and clinical development, therapeutic infusion of mesenchymal stromal cells is now a leading investigational strategy for the treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). While their clinical use continues to expand, it is still unknown which of their immunomodulatory properties contributes most to their therapeutic activity. Herein we describe the proposed mechanisms, focusing on the inhibitory activity of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) at immunologic checkpoints. A deeper understanding of the mechanism of action will allow us to design more effective treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Dunavin
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Cancer Center, 2330 Shawnee Mission Pkwy., Westwood, KS 66205, USA.
| | - Ajoy Dias
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Cancer Center, 2330 Shawnee Mission Pkwy., Westwood, KS 66205, USA.
| | - Meizhang Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
| | - Joseph McGuirk
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics, University of Kansas Cancer Center, 2330 Shawnee Mission Pkwy., Westwood, KS 66205, USA.
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26
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Amobi A, Qian F, Lugade AA, Odunsi K. Tryptophan Catabolism and Cancer Immunotherapy Targeting IDO Mediated Immune Suppression. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 1036:129-144. [PMID: 29275469 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-67577-0_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decade, tryptophan catabolism has been firmly established as a powerful mechanism of innate and adaptive immune tolerance. The catabolism of tryptophan is a central pathway maintaining homeostasis by preventing autoimmunity or immunopathology that would result from uncontrolled and overreacting immune responses. This is driven by the key and rate-limiting enzymes indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase 2 (TDO), resulting in local depletion of tryptophan, while tryptophan catabolites accumulate, including kynurenine and its derivatives, depending on the presence of downstream enzymes in the kynurenine pathway. These metabolic modifications result in a local microenvironment that is profoundly immunosuppressive, as a result of various mechanisms whose respective role remains incompletely characterized. Drugs targeting this pathway, specifically IDO1, are already in clinical trials with the aim at reverting cancer-induced immunosuppression. Recent studies have demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetics profiles for first-generation (Indoximod NLG8189) and second-generation IDO1 inhibitors (INCB024360 and NLG919). Targeting tryptophan catabolism in combination with additional methods of therapy may improve efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. These methods include, but are not limited to vaccination, adoptive cellular therapy, checkpoint inhibitor blockade, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) inhibition. Over the last decade, there has been a considerable increase in our understanding of the regulation and downstream mediators of tryptophan metabolism. This detailed understanding will expand opportunities to interfere with the pathway therapeutically on multiple levels. The object of this chapter is to highlight current and past key findings that implicate tryptophan catabolism as an important mediator of cancer immunity and discuss the development of multiple therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adaobi Amobi
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Feng Qian
- Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Amit A Lugade
- Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kunle Odunsi
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.
- Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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27
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Abstract
Our initial understanding of immune-regulatory cells was based on the discovery of suppressor cells that assure peripheral T-cell tolerance and promote immune homeostasis. Research has particularly focused on the importance of regulatory T cells (Tregs) for immune modulation, e.g. directing host responses to tumours or inhibiting autoimmunity development. However, recent studies report the discovery of self-reactive pro-inflammatory T cells-termed anti-regulatory T cells (anti-Tregs)-that target immune-suppressive cells. Thus, regulatory cells can now be defined as both cells that suppress immune reactions as well as effector cells that counteract the effects of suppressor cells and support immune reactions. Self-reactive anti-Tregs have been described that specifically recognize human leukocyte antigen-restricted epitopes derived from proteins that are normally expressed by regulatory immune cells, including indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), tryptophan 2,6-dioxygenase (TDO), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and forkhead box P3 (Foxp3). These proteins are highly expressed in professional antigen-presenting cells under various physiological conditions, such as inflammation and stress. Therefore, self-reactive T cells that recognize such targets may be activated due to the strong activation signal given by their cognate targets. The current review describes the existing knowledge regarding these self-reactive anti-Tregs, providing examples of antigen-specific anti-Tregs and discussing their possible roles in immune homeostasis and their potential future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mads Hald Andersen
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, 2730, Herlev, Denmark. .,Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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28
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Zaleska J, Skorka K, Zajac M, Karczmarczyk A, Karp M, Tomczak W, Hus M, Wlasiuk P, Giannopoulos K. Specific cytotoxic T-cell immune responses against autoantigens recognized by chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells. Br J Haematol 2016; 174:582-90. [PMID: 27097566 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.14098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mounting evidence suggests that autoreactivity and inflammatory processes are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). Cytoskeletal proteins, including non-muscle myosin heavy chain IIA (MYHIIA), vimentin (VIM) and cofilin-1 (CFL1), exposed on the surface of apoptotic cells have been identified as autoantigens that are recognized by the specific B-cell receptors of the CLL cells. In 212 CLL patients analysed with quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction we found CFL1 overexpression and low expression of MYH9 in comparison with healthy volunteers. We detected specific cytotoxic immune responses for peptides derived from MYHIIA in 66·7%, VIM in 87·5% and CFL1 in 62·5% CLL patients in an Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSpot assay. Low frequencies of autoreactive peptide-specific T cells were detected against MYHIIA, VIM and CFL1 in CLL patients ex vivo; most of the detected cells had an effector-memory phenotype. Our findings support the existence of cytotoxic immune responses against three autoantigens that have been identified as targets of CLL clonotypic B-cell receptors. The presence of autoreactive CD8(+) T cells against MYHIIA, VIM and CFL1 in CLL patients indicates the involvement of antigen-specific autoreactive T cells in the pathogenesis of CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Zaleska
- Department of Experimental Haemato-oncology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Skorka
- Department of Experimental Haemato-oncology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Zajac
- Department of Experimental Haemato-oncology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Karczmarczyk
- Department of Experimental Haemato-oncology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Marta Karp
- Department of Experimental Haemato-oncology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.,Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Waldemar Tomczak
- Department of Haemato-oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Marek Hus
- Department of Haemato-oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Paulina Wlasiuk
- Department of Experimental Haemato-oncology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Giannopoulos
- Department of Experimental Haemato-oncology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.,Department of Haematology, St. John's Cancer Centre, Lublin, Poland
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29
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Overgaard NH, Frøsig TM, Welner S, Rasmussen M, Ilsøe M, Sørensen MR, Andersen MH, Buus S, Jungersen G. Establishing the pig as a large animal model for vaccine development against human cancer. Front Genet 2015; 6:286. [PMID: 26442104 PMCID: PMC4584933 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2015.00286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 08/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has increased overall survival of metastatic cancer patients, and cancer antigens are promising vaccine targets. To fulfill the promise, appropriate tailoring of the vaccine formulations to mount in vivo cytotoxic T cell (CTL) responses toward co-delivered cancer antigens is essential. Previous development of therapeutic cancer vaccines has largely been based on studies in mice, and the majority of these candidate vaccines failed to induce therapeutic responses in the subsequent human clinical trials. Given that antigen dose and vaccine volume in pigs are translatable to humans and the porcine immunome is closer related to the human counterpart, we here introduce pigs as a supplementary large animal model for human cancer vaccine development. IDO and RhoC, both important in human cancer development and progression, were used as vaccine targets and 12 pigs were immunized with overlapping 20mer peptides spanning the entire porcine IDO and RhoC sequences formulated in CTL-inducing adjuvants: CAF09, CASAC, Montanide ISA 51 VG, or PBS. Taking advantage of recombinant swine MHC class I molecules (SLAs), the peptide-SLA complex stability was measured for 198 IDO- or RhoC-derived 9-11mer peptides predicted to bind to SLA-1*04:01, −1*07:02, −2*04:01, −2*05:02, and/or −3*04:01. This identified 89 stable (t½ ≥ 0.5 h) peptide-SLA complexes. By IFN-γ release in PBMC cultures we monitored the vaccine-induced peptide-specific CTL responses, and found responses to both IDO- and RhoC-derived peptides across all groups with no adjuvant being superior. These findings support the further use of pigs as a large animal model for vaccine development against human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana H Overgaard
- Department of Immunology and Vaccinology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas M Frøsig
- Department of Immunology and Vaccinology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Simon Welner
- Department of Immunology and Vaccinology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Rasmussen
- Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette Ilsøe
- Department of Immunology and Vaccinology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria R Sørensen
- Department of Immunology and Vaccinology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mads H Andersen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Denmark
| | - Søren Buus
- Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gregers Jungersen
- Department of Immunology and Vaccinology, National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark Copenhagen, Denmark
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Potential roles of self-reactive T cells in autoimmunity: lessons from cancer immunology. Immunol Res 2015; 60:156-64. [PMID: 25381479 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-014-8559-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The immune system is a complex arrangement of cells and molecules that preserve the integrity of the organism by eliminating all elements judged to be dangerous. Several regulatory mechanisms function to terminate immune responses to antigens, return the immune system to a basal state after the antigen has been cleared, and maintain unresponsiveness, or tolerance, to self-antigens. In recent years, reports have described T cell responses to several proteins involved in regulating the immune system, particularly under malignant conditions. The present review highlights specific T cells that recognize proteins involved in three, well-defined immunosuppressive mechanisms: (1) inhibitory T cell pathways (i.e., PD-L1), (2) regulatory T cells (i.e., Foxp3(+)), and (3) metabolic enzymes, like indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase. Cytotoxic T cells can eliminate regulatory cells, thereby suppressing and/or delaying local immune suppression; conversely, regulatory CD4(+) and non-cytotoxic CD8(+) T cells enhance target-mediated immune suppression. The apparent lack of tolerance against endogenous proteins expressed by regulatory cells is intriguing, because it suggests that self-reactive T cells play a general role of fine-tuning the immune system. Thus, T cell responses may be generally used to maintain the homeostasis of the immune system. Further exploration is warranted to investigate the potential role of auto-reactive T cells under different physiological and/or pathological conditions.
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Anguille S, Smits EL, Bryant C, Van Acker HH, Goossens H, Lion E, Fromm PD, Hart DN, Van Tendeloo VF, Berneman ZN. Dendritic Cells as Pharmacological Tools for Cancer Immunotherapy. Pharmacol Rev 2015; 67:731-53. [DOI: 10.1124/pr.114.009456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Abstract
IDO1 (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1) is a member of a unique class of mammalian haem dioxygenases that catalyse the oxidative catabolism of the least-abundant essential amino acid, L-Trp (L-tryptophan), along the kynurenine pathway. Significant increases in knowledge have been recently gained with respect to understanding the fundamental biochemistry of IDO1 including its catalytic reaction mechanism, the scope of enzyme reactions it catalyses, the biochemical mechanisms controlling IDO1 expression and enzyme activity, and the discovery of enzyme inhibitors. Major advances in understanding the roles of IDO1 in physiology and disease have also been realised. IDO1 is recognised as a prominent immune regulatory enzyme capable of modulating immune cell activation status and phenotype via several molecular mechanisms including enzyme-dependent deprivation of L-Trp and its conversion into the aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand kynurenine and other bioactive kynurenine pathway metabolites, or non-enzymatic cell signalling actions involving tyrosine phosphorylation of IDO1. Through these different modes of biochemical signalling, IDO1 regulates certain physiological functions (e.g. pregnancy) and modulates the pathogenesis and severity of diverse conditions including chronic inflammation, infectious disease, allergic and autoimmune disorders, transplantation, neuropathology and cancer. In the present review, we detail the current understanding of IDO1’s catalytic actions and the biochemical mechanisms regulating IDO1 expression and activity. We also discuss the biological functions of IDO1 with a focus on the enzyme's immune-modulatory function, its medical implications in diverse pathological settings and its utility as a therapeutic target.
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Andersen MH. Immune Regulation by Self-Recognition: Novel Possibilities for Anticancer Immunotherapy. J Natl Cancer Inst 2015; 107:djv154. [PMID: 26063792 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djv154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Circulating T cells that specifically target normal self-proteins expressed by regulatory immune cells were first described in patients with cancer, but can also be detected in healthy individuals. The adaptive immune system is distinguished for its ability to differentiate between self-antigens and foreign antigens. Thus, it was remarkable to discover T cells that apparently lacked tolerance to important self-proteins, eg, IDO, PD-L1, and FoxP3, expressed in regulatory immune cells. The ability of self-reactive T cells to react to and eliminate regulatory immune cells can influence general immune reactions. This suggests that they may be involved in immune homeostasis. It is here proposed that these T cells should be termed antiregulatory T cells (anti-Tregs). The role of anti-Tregs in immune-regulatory networks may be diverse. For example, pro-inflammatory self-reactive T cells that react to regulatory immune cells may enhance local inflammation and inhibit local immune suppression. Further exploration is warranted to investigate their potential role under different malignant conditions and the therapeutic possibilities they possess. Utilizing anti-Tregs for anticancer immunotherapy implies the direct targeting of cancer cells in addition to regulatory immune cells. Anti-Tregs provide the immune system with yet another level of immune regulation and contradict the notion that immune cells involved in the adjustment of immune responses only act as suppressor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mads Hald Andersen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.
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Aris M, Barrio MM. Combining immunotherapy with oncogene-targeted therapy: a new road for melanoma treatment. Front Immunol 2015; 6:46. [PMID: 25709607 PMCID: PMC4321613 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 01/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma arises from the malignant transformation of skin melanocytes; its incidence and mortality have been increasing steadily over the last 50 years, now representing 3% of total tumors. Once melanoma metastasizes, prognosis is somber and therapeutic options are limited. However, the discovery of prevalent BRAF mutations in at least 50% of melanoma tumors led to development of BRAF-inhibitors, and other drugs targeting the MAPK pathway including MEK-inhibitors, are changing this reality. These recently approved treatments for metastatic melanoma have made a significant impact on patient survival; though the results are shadowed by the appearance of drug-resistance. Combination therapies provide a rational strategy to potentiate efficacy and potentially overcome resistance. Undoubtedly, the last decade has also born a renaissance of immunotherapy, and encouraging advances in metastatic melanoma treatment are illuminating the road. Immune checkpoint blockades, such as CTLA-4 antagonist-antibodies, and multiple cancer vaccines are now invaluable arms of anti-tumor therapy. Recent work has brought to light the delicate relationship between tumor biology and the immune system. Host immunity contributes to the anti-tumor activity of oncogene-targeted inhibitors within a complex network of cytokines and chemokines. Therefore, combining immunotherapy with oncogene-targeted drugs may be the key to melanoma control. Here, we review ongoing clinical studies of combination therapies using both oncogene inhibitors and immunotherapeutic strategies in melanoma patients. We will revisit the preclinical evidence that tested sequential and concurrent schemes in suitable animal models and formed the basis for the current trials. Finally, we will discuss potential future directions of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Aris
- Centro de Investigaciones Oncológicas-Fundación Cáncer , Buenos Aires , Argentina
| | - María Marcela Barrio
- Centro de Investigaciones Oncológicas-Fundación Cáncer , Buenos Aires , Argentina
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Hjortsø MD, Larsen SK, Kongsted P, Met Ö, Frøsig TM, Andersen GH, Ahmad SM, Svane IM, Becker JC, Straten PT, Andersen MH. Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO)-reactive T cells differ in their functional characteristics in health and cancer. Oncoimmunology 2015; 4:e968480. [PMID: 25949861 PMCID: PMC4368150 DOI: 10.4161/21624011.2014.968480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2014] [Revised: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) physiologically regulates systemic tryptophan levels in the liver. However, numerous studies have linked cancer with activation of local and systemic tryptophan metabolism. Indeed, similar to other heme dioxygenases TDO is constitutively expressed in many cancers. In the present study, we detected the presence of both CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell reactivity toward TDO in peripheral blood of patients with malignant melanoma (MM) or breast cancer (BC) as well as healthy subjects. However, TDO-reactive CD4+ T cells constituted distinct functional phenotypes in health and disease. In healthy subjects these cells predominately comprised interferon (IFN)γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α producing Th1 cells, while in cancer patients TDO-reactive CD4+ T-cells were more differentiated with release of not only IFNγ and TNFα, but also interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-10 in response to TDO-derived MHC-class II restricted peptides. Hence, in healthy donors (HD) a Th1 helper response was predominant, whereas in cancer patients CD4+ T-cell responses were skewed toward a regulatory T cell (Treg) response. Furthermore, MM patients hosting a TDO-specific IL-17 response showed a trend toward an improved overall survival (OS) compared to MM patients with IL-10 producing, TDO-reactive CD4+ T cells. For further characterization, we isolated and expanded both CD8+ and CD4+ TDO-reactive T cells in vitro. TDO-reactive CD8+ T cells were able to kill HLA-matched tumor cells of different origin. Interestingly, the processed and presented TDO-derived epitopes varied between different cancer cells. With respect to CD4+ TDO-reactive T cells, in vitro expanded T-cell cultures comprised a Th1 and/or a Treg phenotype. In summary, our data demonstrate that the immune modulating enzyme TDO is a target for CD8+ and CD4+ T cell responses both in healthy subjects as well as patients with cancer; notably, however, the functional phenotype of these T-cell responses differ depending on the respective conditions of the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mads Duus Hjortsø
- Department of Hematology and Oncology; Center for Cancer Immune Therapy; University Hospital; Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stine Kiaer Larsen
- Department of Hematology and Oncology; Center for Cancer Immune Therapy; University Hospital; Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Per Kongsted
- Department of Hematology and Oncology; Center for Cancer Immune Therapy; University Hospital; Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Özcan Met
- Department of Hematology and Oncology; Center for Cancer Immune Therapy; University Hospital; Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Mørch Frøsig
- Department of Hematology and Oncology; Center for Cancer Immune Therapy; University Hospital; Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gitte Holmen Andersen
- Department of Hematology and Oncology; Center for Cancer Immune Therapy; University Hospital; Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Shamaila Munir Ahmad
- Department of Hematology and Oncology; Center for Cancer Immune Therapy; University Hospital; Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Department of Hematology and Oncology; Center for Cancer Immune Therapy; University Hospital; Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jürgen C Becker
- Department for Translational Dermato-Oncology (DKTK); Center for Medical Biotechnology (ZMB); University Hospital Essen; Universitätsstraße; Essen, Germany
| | - Per thor Straten
- Department of Hematology and Oncology; Center for Cancer Immune Therapy; University Hospital; Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mads Hald Andersen
- Department of Hematology and Oncology; Center for Cancer Immune Therapy; University Hospital; Herlev, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Abstract
Background The majority of genetic biomarkers for human cancers are defined by statistical screening of high-throughput genomics data. While a large number of genetic biomarkers have been proposed for diagnostic and prognostic applications, only a small number have been applied in the clinic. Similarly, the use of proteomics methods for the discovery of cancer biomarkers is increasing. The emerging field of proteogenomics seeks to enrich the value of genomics and proteomics approaches by studying the intersection of genomics and proteomics data. This task is challenging due to the complex nature of transcriptional and translation regulatory mechanisms and the disparities between genomic and proteomic data from the same samples. In this study, we have examined tumor antigens as potential biomarkers for breast cancer using genomics and proteomics data from previously reported laser capture microdissected ER+ tumor samples. Results We applied proteogenomic analyses to study the genetic aberrations of 32 tumor antigens determined in the proteomic data. We found that tumor antigens that are aberrantly expressed at the genetic level and expressed at the protein level, are likely involved in perturbing pathways directly linked to the hallmarks of cancer. The results found by proteogenomic analysis of the 32 tumor antigens studied here, capture largely the same pathway irregularities as those elucidated from large-scale screening of genomics analyses, where several thousands of genes are often found to be perturbed. Conclusion Tumor antigens are a group of proteins recognized by the cells of the immune system. Specifically, they are recognized in tumor cells where they are present in larger than usual amounts, or are physiochemically altered to a degree at which they no longer resemble native human proteins. This proteogenomic analysis of 32 tumor antigens suggests that tumor antigens have the potential to be highly specific biomarkers for different cancers.
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Larsen SK, Ahmad SM, Idorn M, Met Ö, Martinenaite E, Svane IM, Straten PT, Andersen MH. Spontaneous presence of FOXO3-specific T cells in cancer patients. Oncoimmunology 2014; 3:e953411. [PMID: 25960934 DOI: 10.4161/21624011.2014.953411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Accepted: 07/02/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, we describe forkhead box O3 (FOXO3)-specific, cytotoxic CD8+ T cells existent among peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of cancer patients. FOXO3 immunogenicity appears specific, as we did not detect reactivity toward FOXO3 among T cells in healthy individuals. FOXO3 may naturally serve as a target antigen for tumor-reactive T cells as it is frequently over-expressed in cancer cells. In addition, expression of FOXO3 plays a critical role in immunosuppression mediated by tumor-associated dendritic cells (TADCs). Indeed, FOXO3-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) were able to specifically recognize and kill both FOXO3-expressing cancer cells as well as dendritic cells. Thus, FOXO3 was processed and presented by HLA-A2 on the cell surface of both immune cells and cancer cells. As FOXO3 programs TADCs to become tolerogenic, FOXO3 signaling thereby comprises a significant immunosuppressive mechanism, such that FOXO3 targeting by means of specific T cells is an attractive clinical therapy to boost anticancer immunity. In addition, the natural occurrence of FOXO3-specific CTLs in the periphery suggests that these T cells hold a function in the complex network of immune regulation in cancer patients.
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Key Words
- APC, antigen presenting cell
- CTL
- CTL, cytotoxic T lymphocyte
- CTLA4, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4
- DC, dendritic cell
- FOXO3
- FOXO3, forkhead box O3
- IDO, indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase
- PBMC, peripheral blood mononuclear cell
- TADC, tumor-associated DCs
- TGFβ, tumor growth factor β
- TNFα, tumor necrosis factor α
- Tregs, regulatory T cell
- antigens
- immune regulation
- tumor-associated dendritic cells
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Affiliation(s)
- Stine Kiaer Larsen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT); Department of Hematology; Copenhagen University Hospital ; Herlev ; Herlev, Denmark ; These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Shamaila Munir Ahmad
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT); Department of Hematology; Copenhagen University Hospital ; Herlev ; Herlev, Denmark ; These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Manja Idorn
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT); Department of Hematology; Copenhagen University Hospital ; Herlev ; Herlev, Denmark
| | - Özcan Met
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT); Department of Hematology; Copenhagen University Hospital ; Herlev ; Herlev, Denmark
| | - Evelina Martinenaite
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT); Department of Hematology; Copenhagen University Hospital ; Herlev ; Herlev, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT); Department of Hematology; Copenhagen University Hospital ; Herlev ; Herlev, Denmark
| | - Per Thor Straten
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT); Department of Hematology; Copenhagen University Hospital ; Herlev ; Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mads Hald Andersen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT); Department of Hematology; Copenhagen University Hospital ; Herlev ; Herlev, Denmark
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Iversen TZ, Andersen MH, Svane IM. The Targeting of Indoleamine 2,3 Dioxygenase -Mediated Immune Escape in Cancer. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2014; 116:19-24. [DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.12320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Trine Zeeberg Iversen
- Department of Haematology and Oncology; Center for Cancer ImmuneTherapy (CCIT); Herlev Hospital; University of Copenhagen; Herlev Denmark
| | - Mads Hald Andersen
- Department of Haematology and Oncology; Center for Cancer ImmuneTherapy (CCIT); Herlev Hospital; University of Copenhagen; Herlev Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Department of Haematology and Oncology; Center for Cancer ImmuneTherapy (CCIT); Herlev Hospital; University of Copenhagen; Herlev Denmark
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Prendergast GC, Smith C, Thomas S, Mandik-Nayak L, Laury-Kleintop L, Metz R, Muller AJ. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase pathways of pathogenic inflammation and immune escape in cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2014; 63:721-35. [PMID: 24711084 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-014-1549-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 366] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 03/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Genetic and pharmacological studies of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) have established this tryptophan catabolic enzyme as a central driver of malignant development and progression. IDO acts in tumor, stromal and immune cells to support pathogenic inflammatory processes that engender immune tolerance to tumor antigens. The multifaceted effects of IDO activation in cancer include the suppression of T and NK cells, the generation and activation of T regulatory cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and the promotion of tumor angiogenesis. Mechanistic investigations have defined the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, the master metabolic regulator mTORC1 and the stress kinase Gcn2 as key effector signaling elements for IDO, which also exerts a non-catalytic role in TGF-β signaling. Small-molecule inhibitors of IDO exhibit anticancer activity and cooperate with immunotherapy, radiotherapy or chemotherapy to trigger rapid regression of aggressive tumors otherwise resistant to treatment. Notably, the dramatic antitumor activity of certain targeted therapeutics such as imatinib (Gleevec) in gastrointestinal stromal tumors has been traced in part to IDO downregulation. Further, antitumor responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors can be heightened safely by a clinical lead inhibitor of the IDO pathway that relieves IDO-mediated suppression of mTORC1 in T cells. In this personal perspective on IDO as a nodal mediator of pathogenic inflammation and immune escape in cancer, we provide a conceptual foundation for the clinical development of IDO inhibitors as a novel class of immunomodulators with broad application in the treatment of advanced human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- George C Prendergast
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR), 100 Lancaster Avenue, Wynnewood, PA, 19096, USA,
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Becker JC, thor Straten P, Andersen MH. Self-reactive T cells: suppressing the suppressors. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2014; 63:313-9. [PMID: 24368340 PMCID: PMC11029163 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-013-1512-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2013] [Accepted: 12/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The immune system is a tightly regulated and complex system. An important part of this immune regulation is the assurance of tolerance toward self-antigens to maintain immune homeostasis. However, in recent years, antigen-specific cellular immune responses toward several normal self-proteins expressed in regulatory immune cells have been reported, especially in patients with cancer. The seemingly lack of tolerance toward such proteins is interesting, as it suggests a regulatory function of self-reactive T (srT) cells, which may be important for the fine tuning of the immune system. In particular, surprising has been the description of cytotoxic srT cells that are able to eliminate normal regulatory immune cells. Such srT cells may be important as effector cells that suppress regulatory suppressor cells. The current knowledge of the nature and function of srT cells is still limited. Still, the therapeutic targeting of srT cells offers a novel approach to harness immune-regulatory networks in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen C. Becker
- Department of General Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Per thor Straten
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730 Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mads Hald Andersen
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Herlev Ringvej 75, 2730 Herlev, Denmark
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Iversen TZ, Engell-Noerregaard L, Ellebaek E, Andersen R, Larsen SK, Bjoern J, Zeyher C, Gouttefangeas C, Thomsen BM, Holm B, Thor Straten P, Mellemgaard A, Andersen MH, Svane IM. Long-lasting disease stabilization in the absence of toxicity in metastatic lung cancer patients vaccinated with an epitope derived from indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase. Clin Cancer Res 2013; 20:221-32. [PMID: 24218513 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-13-1560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate targeting of indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) enzyme using a synthetic peptide vaccine administered to patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN In a clinical phase I study, we treated 15 HLA-A2-positive patients with stage III-IV NSCLC in disease stabilization after standard chemotherapy. Patients were treated with imiquimod ointment and subcutaneous vaccinations (100 μg IDO5 peptide, sequence ALLEIASCL, formulated in 900 μL Montanide). Primary endpoint was toxicity. Clinical benefit and immunity were assessed as secondary endpoints. RESULTS No severe toxicity was observed. One patient developed a partial response (PR) after one year of vaccine treatment, whereas long-lasting stable disease (SD) ≥ 8.5 months was demonstrated in another six patients. The median overall survival (OS) was 25.9 months. Patients demonstrated significant improved OS (P = 0.03) when compared with the group of patients excluded because of HLA-A2 negativity. IDO-specific CD8(+) T-cell immunity was demonstrated by IFN-γ Elispot and Tetramer staining. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analyses demonstrated a significant reduction of the Treg population (P = 0.03) after the sixth vaccine (2.5 months) compared with pretreatment levels. Furthermore, expression of IDO was detected in nine of ten tumor biopsies by immunohistochemistry. High-performance liquid chromatography analyses of kynurenine/tryptophan (Kyn/Trp) ratio in sera were performed. In long-term analyses of two clinical responding patients, the ratio of Kyn/Trp remained stable. CONCLUSIONS The vaccine was well tolerated with no severe toxicity occurring. A median OS of 25.9 months was demonstrated and long-lasting PR+SD was seen in 47% of the patients.
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MESH Headings
- Adenocarcinoma/enzymology
- Adenocarcinoma/mortality
- Adenocarcinoma/secondary
- Adenocarcinoma/therapy
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage
- Aged
- Cancer Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Cancer Vaccines/adverse effects
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/enzymology
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/mortality
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/secondary
- Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/therapy
- Disease-Free Survival
- Female
- Humans
- Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/blood
- Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/immunology
- Kaplan-Meier Estimate
- Kynurenine/blood
- Lung Neoplasms/enzymology
- Lung Neoplasms/mortality
- Lung Neoplasms/pathology
- Lung Neoplasms/therapy
- Lymphatic Metastasis
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Statistics, Nonparametric
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/enzymology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- Treatment Outcome
- Tryptophan/blood
- Vaccination
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Affiliation(s)
- Trine Zeeberg Iversen
- Authors' Affiliations: Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Haematology & Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital at Herlev, Herlev; Department of Pathology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Team Bispebjerg (RH), Bispebjerg Bakke, Copenhagen NV, Denmark Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry; and Department of Immunology, Interfaculty Institute of Cell Biology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Andersen MH. Comment on "Myeloid-derived suppressor cells suppress antitumor immune responses through IDO expression and correlate with lymph node metastasis in patients with breast cancer". THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 190:5341. [PMID: 23687188 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1390023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Sioud M, Saebøe-Larssen S, Hetland TE, Kaern J, Mobergslien A, Kvalheim G. Silencing of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase enhances dendritic cell immunogenicity and antitumour immunity in cancer patients. Int J Oncol 2013; 43:280-8. [PMID: 23620105 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2013.1922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2013] [Accepted: 02/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are being explored as a therapeutic vaccine for cancers. However, their immunogenic potential is limited by the presence of immunosuppressive factors. Among these factors is the tryptophan-degrading enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). In this study, we have investigated the safety, immunogenicity and clinical response of IDO-silenced DC vaccine in four patients with gynecological cancers. DCs were transfected with IDO small interfering RNA and mRNA encoding human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) or survivin, two universal tumour antigens. Silencing of IDO in DCs did not affect the expression of the co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86, but enhanced the expression of the CCR7 and CD40 molecules. IDO-silenced DCs showed superior potency to activate allogeneic T cells compared to their IDO-positive counterparts. The immunisation with this novel DC cancer vaccine was well tolerated and all patients developed delayed-type hypersensitivity skin reaction and specific T-cell response against hTERT and survivin tumour antigens. Perhaps most importantly, the immune response seen in the patients was related to objective clinical response. Thus, IDO silencing can enhance the immunogenic function of DCs in vitro and in vivo. Overall, the data provide proof-of-principle that immunisation with IDO-silenced DC vaccine is safe and effective in inducing antitumour immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mouldy Sioud
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Radium Hospital, Montebello, N-0310 Oslo, Norway.
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Munir S, Andersen GH, Woetmann A, Ødum N, Becker JC, Andersen MH. Cutaneous T cell lymphoma cells are targets for immune checkpoint ligand PD-L1-specific, cytotoxic T cells. Leukemia 2013; 27:2251-3. [DOI: 10.1038/leu.2013.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Hadrup S, Donia M, Thor Straten P. Effector CD4 and CD8 T cells and their role in the tumor microenvironment. CANCER MICROENVIRONMENT 2012; 6:123-33. [PMID: 23242673 PMCID: PMC3717059 DOI: 10.1007/s12307-012-0127-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 226] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Accepted: 11/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
T cells in tumors—the so-called tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) have been studied intensively over the past years. Compelling evidence point to a clinical relevance for high numbers of T cells at the tumor site with CD8 memory T cells as a key denominator for overall survival (OS) in patients with colo-rectal cancer (CRC), and also for others solid cancers. These data goes hand in hand with studies of clonality of TIL showing the T cells among TIL are expanded clonally, and also that tumor specific T cells of CD4 as well as CD8 type are enriched at the tumor site. The tumor microenvironment is hostile to T cell function e.g., due to expression of enzymes that depletes the amino acids tryptophan and arginine, high concentration of tumor secreted lactate, and presence innate cells or regulatory T cells both with suppressive activity. Analyses of the specificity of TILs in melanoma demonstrate that quite few known antigens are in fact recognized by these cultures underscoring patient unique and/or mutated antigens may represent important target for recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sine Hadrup
- Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Department of Hematology, Herlev University Hospital, 2730, Herlev, Denmark
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Kulasekararaj AG, Mufti GJ. The Non-transplant Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndromes—What's on the Horizon? Semin Hematol 2012; 49:350-60. [DOI: 10.1053/j.seminhematol.2012.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Munir S, Larsen SK, Iversen TZ, Donia M, Klausen TW, Svane IM, Straten PT, Andersen MH. Natural CD4+ T-cell responses against indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase. PLoS One 2012; 7:e34568. [PMID: 22539948 PMCID: PMC3335144 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0034568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2011] [Accepted: 03/02/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) contributes to immune tolerance in a variety of settings. In cancer IDO is expressed within the tumor itself as well as in antigen-presenting cells in tumor-draining lymph nodes, where it endorses the establishment of peripheral immune tolerance to tumor antigens. Recently, we described cytotoxic CD8+ T-cell reactivity towards IDO-derived peptides. Methods and Findings In the present study, we show that CD4+ helper T cells additionally spontaneously recognize IDO. Hence, we scrutinized the vicinity of the previously described HLA-A*0201-restricted IDO-epitope for CD4+ T-cell epitopes. We demonstrated the presence of naturally occurring IDO-specific CD4+ T cells in cancer patients and to a lesser extent in healthy donors by cytokine release ELISPOT. IDO-reactive CD4+ T cells released IFN-γ, TNF-α, as well as IL-17. We confirm HLA class II-restriction by the addition of HLA class II specific blocking antibodies. In addition, we detected a trend between class I- and class II-restricted IDO responses and detected an association between IDO-specific CD4+ T cells and CD8+ CMV-responses. Finally, we could detect IL-10 releasing IDO-reactive CD4+ T cells. Conclusion IDO is spontaneously recognized by HLA class II-restricted, CD4+ T cells in cancer patients and in healthy individuals. IDO-specific T cells may participate in immune-regulatory networks where the activation of pro-inflammatory IDO-specific CD4+ responses may well overcome or delay the immune suppressive actions of the IDO-protein, which are otherwise a consequence of the early expression of IDO in maturing antigen presenting cells. In contrast, IDO-specific regulatory T cells may enhance IDO-mediated immune suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamaila Munir
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Stine Kiaer Larsen
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Trine Zeeberg Iversen
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Marco Donia
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Tobias Wirenfeldt Klausen
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Inge Marie Svane
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Per thor Straten
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Mads Hald Andersen
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Herlev, Denmark
- * E-mail:
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Andersen MH. The specific targeting of immune regulation: T-cell responses against Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2012; 61:1289-97. [PMID: 22388712 PMCID: PMC3401509 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-012-1234-4] [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: 01/23/2012] [Accepted: 02/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an immunoregulatory enzyme that is implicated in suppressing T-cell immunity in many settings including cancer. In recent years, we have described spontaneous CD8+ as well as CD4+ T-cell reactivity against IDO in the tumor microenvironment of different cancer patients as well as in the peripheral blood of both cancer patients and to a lesser extent in healthy donors. We have demonstrated that IDO-reactive CD8+ T cells were peptide-specific, cytotoxic effector cells, which are able to recognize and kill IDO-expressing cells including tumor cells as well as dendritic cells. Consequently, IDO may serve as a widely applicable target for immunotherapeutic strategies with a completely different function as well as expression pattern compared to previously described antigens. IDO constitutes a significant counter-regulatory mechanism induced by pro-inflammatory signals, and IDO-based immunotherapy may consequently be synergistic with additional immunotherapy. In this regard, we have shown that the presence of IDO-specific T cells boosted immunity against CMV and tumor antigens by eliminating IDO+ suppressive cells and changing the regulatory microenvironment. The current review summarizes current knowledge of IDO as a T-cell antigen, reports the initial results that are suggesting a general function of IDO-specific T cells in immunoregulation, and discusses future opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mads Hald Andersen
- Department of Hematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev Ringvej 75, Herlev, Denmark.
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Ellebaek E, Andersen MH, Svane IM, Straten PT. Immunotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer: present status and new options. Scand J Gastroenterol 2012; 47:315-24. [PMID: 22214467 DOI: 10.3109/00365521.2012.640831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Although no immunotherapeutic treatment is approved for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, promising results from clinical trials suggest that several immunotherapeutic strategies may prove efficacious and applicable to this group of patients. This review describes the immunogenicity of CRC and presents the most interesting strategies investigated so far: cancer vaccination including antigen-defined vaccination and dendritic cell vaccination, chemo-immunotherapy, and adoptive cell transfer. Future treatment options as well as the possibility of combining existing therapies will be discussed along with the challenges presented by tumor escape mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Ellebaek
- Department of Haematology, Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT), Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark.
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Jacquemier J, Bertucci F, Finetti P, Esterni B, Charafe-Jauffret E, Thibult ML, Houvenaeghel G, Van den Eynde B, Birnbaum D, Olive D, Xerri L. High expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in the tumour is associated with medullary features and favourable outcome in basal-like breast carcinoma. Int J Cancer 2011; 130:96-104. [PMID: 21328335 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.25979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Medullary breast cancer (MBC) is a basal-like breast carcinoma (BLBC) with a favourable outcome, whereas nonmedullary BLBC has a poor prognosis. Tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are present in both MBC and BLBC. We hypothesized that the immunosuppressive enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) could modulate the TILs effects among these tumours and explain their different outcomes. The amount of TILs and IDO expression were analysed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 155 BC cases including MBC (n = 17), atypical MBC (n = 13) and non-MBC (n = 125). Messenger RNA expression of the INDO gene, which encodes IDO, was measured in 262 cases from our institution. INDO mRNA expression and histoclinical data of 1,487 BC cases were collected from public databases. IDO immunostaining was present in both neoplastic and stromal cells in 100% of MBC and was associated with histological medullary features among non-MBC cases. There was a significant correlation between IDO positivity and TIL amounts. In our series including mostly grade-3 BC, IDO immunostaining was the most significant marker (p = 0.02) associated with better survival in multivariate analysis. Among our 262 analysed BC cases, INDO mRNA showed significant overexpression in BLBC as compared to luminal A tumours, and in MBC as compared to basal-like non-MBC. In the pooled series of 1,749 BC cases, INDO mRNA was overexpressed in BLBC and was the most significant predictor of better survival in this subtype using multivariate analysis (p = 0.0024). In conclusion, high IDO expression is associated with morphological medullary features and has an independent favourable prognostic value in BLBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyne Jacquemier
- Département d'Oncologie Moléculaire, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, INSERM UMR89, IFR137, Marseille, France
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