1
|
van den Bulk J, Verdegaal EM, van der Ploeg M, Visser M, Nunes JB, de Ru AH, Tjokrodirijo RT, Ijsselsteijn ME, Janssen NI, van der Breggen R, de Bruin L, de Kok P, Janssen GM, Ruano D, Kapiteijn EH, van Veelen PA, de Miranda NF, van der Burg SH. Neoantigen Targetability in Progressive Advanced Melanoma. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:4278-4288. [PMID: 37540567 PMCID: PMC10570682 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-1106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The availability of (neo)antigens and the infiltration of tumors by (neo)antigen-specific T cells are crucial factors in cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the targetability of (neo)antigens in advanced progessive melanoma and explore the potential for continued T-cell-based immunotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We examined a cohort of eight patients with melanoma who had sequential metastases resected at early and later time points. Antigen-presenting capacity was assessed using IHC and flow cytometry. T-cell infiltration was quantified through multiplex immunofluorescence. Whole-exome and RNA sequencing were conducted to identify neoantigens and assess the expression of neoantigens and tumor-associated antigens. Mass spectrometry was used to evaluate antigen presentation. Tumor recognition by autologous T cells was assessed by coculture assays with cell lines derived from the metastatic lesions. RESULTS We observed similar T-cell infiltration in paired early and later metastatic (LM) lesions. Although elements of the antigen-presenting machinery were affected in some LM lesions, both the early and later metastasis-derived cell lines were recognized by autologous T cells. At the genomic level, the (neo)antigen landscape was dynamic, but the (neo)antigen load was stable between paired lesions. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that subsequently isolated tumors from patients with late-stage melanoma retain sufficient antigen-presenting capacity, T-cell infiltration, and a stable (neo)antigen load, allowing recognition of tumor cells by T cells. This indicates a continuous availability of T-cell targets in metastases occurring at different time points and supports further exploration of (neo)antigen-specific T-cell-based therapeutic approaches for advanced melanoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jitske van den Bulk
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Els M.E. Verdegaal
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Manon van der Ploeg
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marten Visser
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Joana B. Nunes
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Arnoud H. de Ru
- Center of Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Rayman T.N. Tjokrodirijo
- Center of Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Natasja I. Janssen
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ruud van der Breggen
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Linda de Bruin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Pita de Kok
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - George M.C. Janssen
- Center of Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Dina Ruano
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ellen H.W. Kapiteijn
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Peter A. van Veelen
- Center of Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Sjoerd H. van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
van den Bulk J, van der Ploeg M, Ijsselsteijn ME, Ruano D, van der Breggen R, Duhen R, Peeters KCMJ, Fariña-Sarasqueta A, Verdegaal EME, van der Burg SH, Duhen T, de Miranda NFCC. CD103 and CD39 coexpression identifies neoantigen-specific cytotoxic T cells in colorectal cancers with low mutation burden. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-005887. [PMID: 36792124 PMCID: PMC9933759 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Expression of CD103 and CD39 has been found to pinpoint tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells in a variety of solid cancers. We aimed to investigate whether these markers specifically identify neoantigen-specific T cells in colorectal cancers (CRCs) with low mutation burden. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Whole-exome and RNA sequencing of 11 mismatch repair-proficient (MMR-proficient) CRCs and corresponding healthy tissues were performed to determine the presence of putative neoantigens. In parallel, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were cultured from the tumor fragments and, in parallel, CD8+ T cells were flow-sorted from their respective tumor digests based on single or combined expression of CD103 and CD39. Each subset was expanded and subsequently interrogated for neoantigen-directed reactivity with synthetic peptides. Neoantigen-directed reactivity was determined by flow cytometric analyses of T cell activation markers and ELISA-based detection of IFN-γ and granzyme B release. Additionally, imaging mass cytometry was applied to investigate the localization of CD103+CD39+ cytotoxic T cells in tumors. RESULTS Neoantigen-directed reactivity was only encountered in bulk TIL populations and CD103+CD39+ (double positive, DP) CD8+ T cell subsets but never in double-negative or single-positive subsets. Neoantigen-reactivity detected in bulk TIL but not in DP CD8+ T cells could be attributed to CD4+ T cells. CD8+ T cells that were located in direct contact with cancer cells in tumor tissues were enriched for CD103 and CD39 expression. CONCLUSION Coexpression of CD103 and CD39 is characteristic of neoantigen-specific CD8+ T cells in MMR-proficient CRCs with low mutation burden. The exploitation of these subsets in the context of adoptive T cell transfer or engineered T cell receptor therapies is a promising avenue to extend the benefits of immunotherapy to an increasing number of CRC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jitske van den Bulk
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Manon van der Ploeg
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Dina Ruano
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ruud van der Breggen
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Rebekka Duhen
- Basic Immunology Lab, Earle A Chiles Research Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Koen C M J Peeters
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Els M E Verdegaal
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Duhen
- Anti-Cancer Immune Response Lab, Earle A Chiles Research Institute, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hos BJ, Tondini E, Camps MG, Rademaker W, van den Bulk J, Ruano D, Janssen GM, de Ru AH, van den Elsen PJ, de Miranda NF, van Veelen PA, Ossendorp F. Cancer-specific T helper shared and neo-epitopes uncovered by expression of the MHC class II master regulator CIITA. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111680. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
|
4
|
van den Bulk J, Verdegaal EME, Ruano D, Ijsselsteijn ME, Visser M, van der Breggen R, Duhen T, van der Ploeg M, de Vries NL, Oosting J, Peeters KCMJ, Weinberg AD, Farina-Sarasqueta A, van der Burg SH, de Miranda NFCC. Neoantigen-specific immunity in low mutation burden colorectal cancers of the consensus molecular subtype 4. Genome Med 2019; 11:87. [PMID: 31888734 PMCID: PMC6938004 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-019-0697-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The efficacy of checkpoint blockade immunotherapies in colorectal cancer is currently restricted to a minority of patients diagnosed with mismatch repair-deficient tumors having high mutation burden. However, this observation does not exclude the existence of neoantigen-specific T cells in colorectal cancers with low mutation burden and the exploitation of their anti-cancer potential for immunotherapy. Therefore, we investigated whether autologous neoantigen-specific T cell responses could also be observed in patients diagnosed with mismatch repair-proficient colorectal cancers. Methods Whole-exome and transcriptome sequencing were performed on cancer and normal tissues from seven colorectal cancer patients diagnosed with mismatch repair-proficient tumors to detect putative neoantigens. Corresponding neo-epitopes were synthesized and tested for recognition by in vitro expanded T cells that were isolated from tumor tissues (tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes) and from peripheral mononuclear blood cells stimulated with tumor material. Results Neoantigen-specific T cell reactivity was detected to several neo-epitopes in the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes of three patients while their respective cancers expressed 15, 21, and 30 non-synonymous variants. Cell sorting of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes based on the co-expression of CD39 and CD103 pinpointed the presence of neoantigen-specific T cells in the CD39+CD103+ T cell subset. Strikingly, the tumors containing neoantigen-reactive TIL were classified as consensus molecular subtype 4 (CMS4), which is associated with TGF-β pathway activation and worse clinical outcome. Conclusions We have detected neoantigen-targeted reactivity by autologous T cells in mismatch repair-proficient colorectal cancers of the CMS4 subtype. These findings warrant the development of specific immunotherapeutic strategies that selectively boost the activity of neoantigen-specific T cells and target the TGF-β pathway to reinforce T cell reactivity in this patient group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dina Ruano
- Pathology, LUMC, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Marten Visser
- Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, LUMC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Jan Oosting
- Pathology, LUMC, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Hos BJ, Camps MG, van den Bulk J, Tondini E, van den Ende TC, Ruano D, Franken K, Janssen GM, Ru A, Filippov DV, Arens R, van Veelen PA, Miranda N, Ossendorp F. Identification of a neo-epitope dominating endogenous CD8 T cell responses to MC-38 colorectal cancer. Oncoimmunology 2019; 9:1673125. [PMID: 32923109 PMCID: PMC7458608 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1673125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The murine MC-38 colorectal cancer model is a commonly used model for cancer with high mutational burden, which is sensitive for immune checkpoint immunotherapy. We set out to analyze endogenous CD8+ T cell responses to MC-38 neo-antigens in tumor-bearing mice and after anti-PD-L1 checkpoint therapy. Through combination of whole-exome sequencing analysis with mass spectrometry of MHC class I eluted peptides we could identify eight candidate epitopes. Of these, a neo-epitope encoded by a point-mutation in the sequence of the ribosomal protein L18 (Rpl18) strongly dominated the CD8+ T cell response to our MC-38 cell-line in comparison to a previously described neo-epitope in the Adpgk protein. Therapeutic vaccination with synthetic peptides induced CD8+ T cell responses against the mutated Rpl18 epitope, which controlled tumor growth in vivo. This immunologically dominant response to mutated Rpl18 is of great importance in the development and optimization of immunotherapeutic strategies with the MC-38 tumor model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brett J. Hos
- Leiden University Medical Center, Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel G.M. Camps
- Leiden University Medical Center, Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Elena Tondini
- Leiden University Medical Center, Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Dina Ruano
- Leiden University Medical Center, Pathology, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kees Franken
- Leiden University Medical Center, Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - George M.C. Janssen
- Leiden University Medical Center, Center for Proteomics & Metabolomics, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Arnoud Ru
- Leiden University Medical Center, Center for Proteomics & Metabolomics, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dmitri V. Filippov
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ramon Arens
- Leiden University Medical Center, Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A. van Veelen
- Leiden University Medical Center, Center for Proteomics & Metabolomics, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Noel Miranda
- Leiden University Medical Center, Pathology, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Leiden University Medical Center, Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
van den Bulk J, Verdegaal EM, de Miranda NF. Cancer immunotherapy: broadening the scope of targetable tumours. Open Biol 2019; 8:rsob.180037. [PMID: 29875199 PMCID: PMC6030119 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.180037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has experienced remarkable advances in recent years. Striking clinical responses have been achieved for several types of solid cancers (e.g. melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, bladder cancer and mismatch repair-deficient cancers) after treatment of patients with T-cell checkpoint blockade therapies. These have been shown to be particularly effective in the treatment of cancers with high mutation burden, which places tumour-mutated antigens (neo-antigens) centre stage as targets of tumour immunity and cancer immunotherapy. With current technologies, neo-antigens can be identified in a short period of time, which may support the development of complementary, personalized approaches that increase the number of tumours amenable to immunotherapeutic intervention. In addition to reviewing the state of the art in cancer immunotherapy, we discuss potential avenues that can bring the immunotherapy revolution to a broader patient group including cancers with low mutation burden.
Collapse
|
7
|
Duhen T, Duhen R, Montler R, Moudgil T, Bulk JVD, Fox BA, Chang SC, Grunkemeier G, Verdegaal EM, Miranda NFD, Leidner R, Bell RB, Weinberg AD. Abstract A186: A new strategy to identify and expand tumor-reactive CD8 TILs in human solid tumors. Cancer Immunol Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1158/2326-6074.cricimteatiaacr18-a186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The immune system can recognize and destroy tumor cells through T-cell mediated mechanisms. Hence, identifying tumor antigen-specific T-cells from cancer patients and expanding them in large numbers in vitro has important implications for immunotherapy diagnostics and therapeutics. Here we show that tumor-reactive T-cells are enriched in a subset of tumor-infiltrating CD8 T-cells (CD8 TILs) identified by co-expression of CD103 and CD39 both in primary and metastatic tumors. The CD103+CD39+ CD8 TILs are present at high frequencies in melanoma and mismatch repair-deficient colon cancer but at low frequencies in microsatellite stable (MSS) colon cancer and colorectal liver metastasis. This cell population displays a distinct T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire, with T-cell clones expanded in the tumor but present at low frequencies in the periphery. Importantly, we show in a MSS colon cancer patient that a very low number of CD103+CD39+ CD8 TILs can be expanded in vitro and that those cells recognize tumor-specific neoantigens. Finally, patients with head and neck cancer whose CD8 TILs contained a higher frequency of CD103+CD39+ cells experienced a greater overall survival. Our work suggests that CD103+CD39+ CD8 TILs are key players in the patient’s antitumor response and describe an approach for detecting and expanding those cells, which will help improve adoptive TIL therapy for cancer patients.
Citation Format: Thomas Duhen, Rebekka Duhen, Ryan Montler, Tarsem Moudgil, Jitske van den Bulk, Bernard A. Fox, Shu-Ching Chang, Gary Grunkemeier, Els M.E. Verdegaal, Noel F. de Miranda, Rom Leidner, Richard B. Bell, Andrew D. Weinberg. A new strategy to identify and expand tumor-reactive CD8 TILs in human solid tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fourth CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; Sept 30-Oct 3, 2018; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2019;7(2 Suppl):Abstract nr A186.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Duhen
- AgonOx, Portland, OR; Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Providence Saint Joseph Health, Portland, OR
| | - Rebekka Duhen
- AgonOx, Portland, OR; Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Providence Saint Joseph Health, Portland, OR
| | - Ryan Montler
- AgonOx, Portland, OR; Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Providence Saint Joseph Health, Portland, OR
| | - Tarsem Moudgil
- AgonOx, Portland, OR; Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Providence Saint Joseph Health, Portland, OR
| | - Jitske van den Bulk
- AgonOx, Portland, OR; Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Providence Saint Joseph Health, Portland, OR
| | - Bernard A. Fox
- AgonOx, Portland, OR; Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Providence Saint Joseph Health, Portland, OR
| | - Shu-Ching Chang
- AgonOx, Portland, OR; Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Providence Saint Joseph Health, Portland, OR
| | - Gary Grunkemeier
- AgonOx, Portland, OR; Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Providence Saint Joseph Health, Portland, OR
| | - Els M.E. Verdegaal
- AgonOx, Portland, OR; Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Providence Saint Joseph Health, Portland, OR
| | - Noel F. de Miranda
- AgonOx, Portland, OR; Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Providence Saint Joseph Health, Portland, OR
| | - Rom Leidner
- AgonOx, Portland, OR; Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Providence Saint Joseph Health, Portland, OR
| | - Richard B. Bell
- AgonOx, Portland, OR; Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Providence Saint Joseph Health, Portland, OR
| | - Andrew D. Weinberg
- AgonOx, Portland, OR; Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Providence Saint Joseph Health, Portland, OR
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bulk JVD, Ruano D, Ijsselsteijn ME, Visser M, Breggen RVD, Peeters KC, Duhen T, Duhen R, Weinberg AD, Burg SSVD, Verdegaal EM, Miranda NFD. Abstract B094: Successful identification of neoantigen-specific T-cell responses in low mutation burden colorectal cancers for personalized cancer vaccine development. Cancer Immunol Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1158/2326-6074.cricimteatiaacr18-b094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Innovative treatment options are required to improve cure rates in advanced colorectal cancer patients. Immune checkpoint blockade therapy (anti-PD-1) was shown to be effective in colorectal cancers with high mutation burden (e.g., mismatch repair deficient) as antitumor reactivity is largely explained by the recognition of somatically mutated antigens (neoantigens). No immunotherapeutic strategies are currently available for patients diagnosed with low mutation burden colorectal cancer. We hypothesized that if neoantigen-reactive T-cells are present in low mutation burden patients, the latter could benefit from immunotherapeutic interventions that stimulate neoantigen recognition and the onset of a robust antitumor immune response.In order to detect neoantigens, whole exome and RNA next-generation sequencing analyses were performed in cancer and healthy tissues from five colorectal cancer patients. Corresponding neoepitopes were synthesized and tested for their ability to induce immune cell activation in T-cells isolated from the tumor tissue (TIL) and from peripheral blood. Neoantigen-specific T-cell responses were identified in the majority of patients that presented with tumors carrying 25 to 36 transcribed, non-synonymous variants. Up to six different neoantigens were recognized per tumor, which resulted in a higher detection rate than anticipated based on published data. Moreover, we discovered the merits of isolating CD39+CD103+CD8+ T-cells for detection of a broad recognition of HLA class I-restricted neoantigens. This CD39+CD103+CD8+ T-cell subset comprises the majority and a broader repertoire of neoantigen-specific T-cells compared to bulk TIL populations or lymphocytes derived from peripheral blood. In conclusion, we developed a neoantigen screening pipeline to unlock the immunogenic potential of colorectal cancers with low mutation burden. We have detected a relatively high number of neoantigens that are recognized by tumor- and/or PBMC-derived T-cells in mismatch repair proficient, low mutation burden colorectal cancer patients, and show the importance of the CD39+CD103+CD8+ T-cell subset for neoantigen-based immunotherapies. These findings warrant the further exploration of the potential to employ neoantigen-targeted therapies to improve clinical outcomes of colorectal cancer patients.
Citation Format: Jitske van den Bulk, Dina Ruano, Marieke E. Ijsselsteijn, Marten Visser, Ruud van der Breggen, Koen C.M.J. Peeters, Thomas Duhen, Rebekka Duhen, Andrew D Weinberg, Sjoerd S.H. van der Burg, Els M.E. Verdegaal, Noel F. de Miranda. Successful identification of neoantigen-specific T-cell responses in low mutation burden colorectal cancers for personalized cancer vaccine development [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fourth CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; Sept 30-Oct 3, 2018; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2019;7(2 Suppl):Abstract nr B094.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jitske van den Bulk
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dina Ruano
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke E. Ijsselsteijn
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marten Visser
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ruud van der Breggen
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Koen C.M.J. Peeters
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Duhen
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rebekka Duhen
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew D Weinberg
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd S.H. van der Burg
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Els M.E. Verdegaal
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Noel F. de Miranda
- Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands; Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, OR; Leiden University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Blok EJ, van den Bulk J, Dekker-Ensink NG, Derr R, Kanters C, Bastiaannet E, Kroep JR, van de Velde CJH, Kuppen PJK. Combined evaluation of the FAS cell surface death receptor and CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes as a prognostic biomarker in breast cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:15610-15620. [PMID: 28121628 PMCID: PMC5362509 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple studies showed the prognostic capacities of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), but not in other subtypes. We evaluated tumor expression of FAS, a key receptor in T-cell mediated apoptosis, as possible explanation for this differential prognostic value of TILs. Furthermore, we evaluated the prognostic relevance of FAS, both as an independent biomarker and in relation to CD8-positive T-cell presence. The study cohort consisted of 667 breast cancer patients treated in the LUMC between 1997 and 2009. FAS expression was determined using immunohistochemistry and the percentage of FAS-positive tumor cells was quantified. Furthermore, the number of CD8-positive infiltrating cells was determined, and its prognostic relevance was associated to FAS-expression using stratified survival analysis. In TNBC, FAS was averagely expressed in 49% of tumor cells, whereas ER-positive subtypes showed an average Fas expression of 16-20%. In the entire cohort, FAS was identified as significant prognostic marker for recurrence (adjusted HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.36-0.77) and borderline significant marker for overall survival (adjusted HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.52-1.01). Upon stratification for FAS-expression, CD8+ TILs were only prognostic at high levels (above median) of FAS expression in ER-negative disease. In summary, FAS was identified as an independent prognostic marker for recurrence free survival in breast cancer, with large variation in expression by receptor subtypes. Interestingly, the prognostic effect of CD8+ TILs in ER-negative disease was only valid for tumors with a high FAS expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erik J Blok
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jitske van den Bulk
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Remco Derr
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Corné Kanters
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Esther Bastiaannet
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Judith R Kroep
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Peter J K Kuppen
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|