Journal Articles

Cancers modulate processing and presentation of p53 neoantigens to evade T cell detection

ABSTRACT: TP53 mutations occur early in malignant transformation as truncal events in tumor evolution and are therefore generally present in all descendant tumor cells, creating an immunological vulnerability. Here, we examined the immunogenicity and antigenicity of p53 neoantigens emerging from these truncal mutations. Comprehensive immunopeptidomics revealed that hotspot mutations in human tumors preferentially localize to p53 regions resistant to antigen processing, thereby avoiding display altogether. Moreover, for neoantigens presentable by HLA-A∗02:01 or HLA-B∗07:02 and structurally divergent from corresponding wild-type p53 peptide-HLA complexes, clinical tumors commonly lacked the relevant presenting HLA allele. Tumor cells further resisted T cell killing through increased activity of the aminopeptidase ERAP1, preventing display of high-affinity HLA-A∗02:01 complexes containing an immunogenic p53I195F-derived 11-mer, or by expressing low-affinity HLA-A∗02:01 complexes containing a p53R175H-derived 9-mer with poor antigenicity despite high-quality human TCRs. These findings define mechanisms by which tumors restrict targetable truncal neoantigen display and suggest immunopeptidome shift strategies to circumvent immune escape.

Author Info: (1) Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. (2) Department of Medical Oncolo

Author Info: (1) Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. (2) Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Laboratory of Immunobiology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA. (3) Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Laboratory of Immunobiology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA. (4) Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. (5) Structural Biology Center, X-ray Science Division, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Avenue, Lemont, IL 60439, USA. (6) Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Laboratory of Immunobiology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. (7) Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. (8) Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. (9) Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA. (10) Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA. (11) Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA. (12) Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA. (13) Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA. (14) Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA. (15) Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. (16) Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA. (17) Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA. (18) Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA. (19) Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA. (20) Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA. (21) Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA. (22) Department of Pathology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA. (23) Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy; Division of Hematopathology, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy. (24) Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA. (25) Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: david_barbie@dfci.harvard.edu. (26) Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: ellis_reinherz@dfci.harvard.edu.

FasL-mediated death of activated intratumoral T cells drives secondary resistance to cancer immunotherapy

ABSTRACT: Cancer progression following an initial response to immunotherapy (secondary resistance; 2°R) is a major and poorly understood problem. We treated mice bearing B16 melanoma with a combination of a regulatory T cell (Treg) depleting, non-IL-2 blocking antibody (anti-CD25NIB) and an autologous cancer cell vaccine (GVAX). The regimen yielded initial tumor shrinkage followed by 2°R; lethal progression occurred in ~90% of partially responsive (PR) tumors by days 35-50. Cell lines derived from 2°R tumors retained treatment sensitivity upon re-implantation into naïve mice, suggesting resistance was related to a loss of immune control over time. Profiling PR and 2°R tumors by flow cytometry and single-cell RNA/TCR sequencing, we found that activated CD8⁺ T cells with tumor-reactive features declined in abundance, whereas non-activated T cells and Tregs increased. Activated CD8⁺ cells showed heightened TCR stimulation, clonal expansion, and expression of apoptotic signatures and death receptors, including Fas. Their loss was not explained by lymph node accumulation or differentiation to non-activated states. These findings were validated in a clinically relevant MC38 colon carcinoma model treated with anti-PD-L1 checkpoint blockade, confirming that depletion of activated, tumor-reactive clones is a shared mechanism of 2°R across therapeutic modalities. Fas ligand (FasL) blockade reversed this loss and prolonged survival. Longitudinal transcriptional and tissue staining data from human checkpoint blockade studies similarly indicated that activated T cells decline in abundance over time and at 2°R. These findings implicate death of activated T cells as a mechanism of 2°R and suggest Fas-FasL blockade may extend response durability.

Author Info: (1) University College London London United Kingdom. ROR: https://ror.org/02jx3x895 (2) University College London Cancer Institute, London United Kingdom. (3) Dana-Farber Cancer In

Author Info: (1) University College London London United Kingdom. ROR: https://ror.org/02jx3x895 (2) University College London Cancer Institute, London United Kingdom. (3) Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston United States. ROR: https://ror.org/02jzgtq86 (4) University College London London United Kingdom. ROR: https://ror.org/02jx3x895 (5) University College London London United Kingdom. ROR: https://ror.org/02jx3x895 (6) University College London London United Kingdom. ROR: https://ror.org/02jx3x895 (7) University of Oxford Oxford United Kingdom. ROR: https://ror.org/052gg0110 (8) University College London London United Kingdom. ROR: https://ror.org/02jx3x895 (9) Roche (Switzerland) Schlieren Switzerland. ROR: https://ror.org/00by1q217 (10) University College London Cancer Institute, London United Kingdom. (11) University College London London United Kingdom. ROR: https://ror.org/02jx3x895

Reprogramming engineered autologous T cells to overcome resistance in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma

ABSTRACT: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) outcomes, but most patients with MCC develop resistance. We identified T cell receptor (TCR)MCC1, a highly avid, HLA-A*02:01-restricted TCR targeting the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) oncoprotein large-T antigen15-23. Seven patients with ICI-refractory metastatic MCPyV+ MCC received TCRMCC1-transduced cells (TTCR-MCC1 cells) after lymphodepleting chemotherapy or HLA-enhancing interventions [radiation or interferon gamma-1b (Actimmune)], with concurrent ICIs (NCT03747484). TTCR-MCC1 cells trafficked to tumor sites and expressed a gene expression profile compatible with T cell activation, with tumor regression observed in two patients. However, therapeutic activity was limited by HLA class I silencing, a common mechanism of immune escape in MCC. In one patient, delayed tumor regression coincided with endogenous effector immune activation and restoration of MCC HLA expression, implying that robust local responses could reverse HLA silencing. To overcome this barrier, we engineered CD4 and CD8 TTCR-MCC1 cells to coexpress CD8αβ and a CD200R-CD28 switch receptor, enabling CD4 T cell engagement and T cell costimulation. These modifications enhanced tumor infiltration, increased HLA expression, and improved control of HLAlow MCC in vivo in mice. These findings support the feasibility of TCR-engineered cell therapy for MCPyV+ MCC and provide a blueprint for overcoming immune evasion via targeted localized enhancement of antigen presentation.

Author Info: (1) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (2) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Can

Author Info: (1) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (2) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. (3) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (4) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (5) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. (6) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (7) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (8) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. (9) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (10) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (11) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (12) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (13) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (14) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. (15) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (16) Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (17) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (18) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (19) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (20) Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98105, USA. (21) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. (22) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (23) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (24) Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. Department of Global Health, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA. (25) Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (26) Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (27) Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (28) Shared Resources, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (29) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. (30) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA. (31) Biomedical Data Science Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, 1010 Lausanne, Switzerland. University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. School of Life Sciences, EPFL, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. (32) Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98105, USA. (33) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. Department of Dermatology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. (34) Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.

γδ T cells modulate anti-tumor immunity in small cell lung cancer

ABSTRACT: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive neoplasm with limited sensitivity to anti-PD-(L)1 blockade, which is likely caused by the epigenetic silencing of MHC-I. Elucidating MHC-I-independent immune recognition mechanisms is therefore crucial for enhancing treatment responses and improving clinical outcomes in a greater number of patients. Leveraging single-cell approaches, we discovered γδ T cell infiltration in biospecimens from patients with SCLC. Despite PD-1 expression, γδ T cells maintained a cytotoxic transcriptional profile, suggesting an anti-tumor role. Indeed, high γδ T cell infiltration in two practice-changing clinical trials predicted improved response to anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy in patients with SCLC. Moreover, using preclinical models, we demonstrated that γδ T cells are effective at tarlatamab (delta-like ligand 3 [DLL3]-CD3 bispecific T cell engager [BiTE])-redirected SCLC killing and that zoledronate, an FDA-approved compound, can sensitize SCLC cells to γδ T cell-mediated killing. Thus, our findings suggest that engaged γδ T cells are potentially valuable targets for SCLC therapy.

Author Info: (1) ACRF Cancer Biology and Stem Cells Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The Univers

Author Info: (1) ACRF Cancer Biology and Stem Cells Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. Electronic address: ng.ji@wehi.edu.au. (2) Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Genetics and Gene Regulation Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. (3) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia. (4) ACRF Cancer Biology and Stem Cells Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. (5) ACRF Cancer Biology and Stem Cells Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. (6) Collaborative Centre for Genomic Cancer Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Clinical Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. (7) Department of Translational Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and University of Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany. (8) Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Blood Cells and Blood Cancer Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. (9) Clinical Translation, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; School of Medicine, Adelaide University, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; Centre for Health Services Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia. (10) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA. (11) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia. (12) Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, UK; Department of Medical Oncology, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK. (13) Collaborative Centre for Genomic Cancer Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Clinical Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. (14) WEHI Advanced Genomics Facility and Single Cell Open Research Endeavour (SCORE), Advanced Technology and Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. (15) WEHI Advanced Genomics Facility and Single Cell Open Research Endeavour (SCORE), Advanced Technology and Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. (16) Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Immunology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. (17) WEHI Advanced Genomics Facility and Single Cell Open Research Endeavour (SCORE), Advanced Technology and Biology Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. (18) ACRF Cancer Biology and Stem Cells Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. (19) Department of Respiratory Medicine, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia; Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. (20) Department of Translational Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University Hospital of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany. (21) Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Genetics and Gene Regulation Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. (22) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia. (23) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia. (24) Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Genetics and Gene Regulation Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. (25) Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia. (26) ACRF Cancer Biology and Stem Cells Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia. Electronic address: sutherland.k@wehi.edu.au.

A serpin-myeloid axis in pancreatic cancer heterogeneity and immune evasion

ABSTRACT: Pancreatic ductal carcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a highly immunosuppressive, extracellular matrix-rich microenvironment, yet tumours display marked heterogeneity(1-4). This raises the question of whether immune resistance is a global tumour property or is organized within spatially restricted niches. Here, using Perturb-map spatial functional genomics, we determine how different genes shape the growth and cellular environments of PDAC clones across space and time. This analysis revealed early gene-driven remodelling of local immune neighbourhoods preceding late-stage spatial clonal dominance. We identify SERPINE1 (encoding plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI1)) and SERPINB2 (encoding PAI2) as dominant regulators of tumour microenvironment control and immune evasion. These serpins promote stabilization of fibrin-rich extracellular matrix niches that spatially retain and programme macrophages towards immunosuppressive states while excluding cytotoxic T cells. Loss of Serpine1 or Serpinb2, or pharmacological inhibition of PAI1 or CD18, improves tumour control in mice and synergizes with anti-PD-1. Multimodal spatial analysis of patient tumours revealed that immunosuppressive niches form around rare SERPINB2- and SERPINE1-expressing PDAC subpopulations, dominated by SPP1+/MARCO+ macrophages. These findings identify cancer-derived SERPINE1 and SERPINB2 as local spatial organizers of immune suppression, linking tumour-intrinsic heterogeneity to local microenvironmental control and immunotherapy resistance in PDAC.

Author Info: (1) Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA

Author Info: (1) Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. (2) Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. (3) Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. (4) Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. (5) Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. (6) Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. (7) Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. (8) Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. (9) Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. (10) Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. (11) Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. (12) Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. (13) Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. brian.brown@mssm.edu. Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. brian.brown@mssm.edu. Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. brian.brown@mssm.edu. Department of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. brian.brown@mssm.edu.

PLA2G2D in tumour-draining lymph nodes regulates anti-tumour immunity

ABSTRACT: Systemic anti-tumour immunity results from T cell priming in tumour-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs)(1-4). Although the suppression of T cells in tumours is well characterized(5-8), whether this occurs in TDLNs-and if so, through which mechanisms-remains poorly understood. Here, using imaging mass cytometry of TDLNs from patients with melanoma, we identify a spatial neighbourhood in the TDLN paracortex that is linked to the development of distant metastases. Targeted spatial transcriptomics of cells inside this neighbourhood revealed activated CD8(+) T cells engaging with myeloid cells that expressed high levels of the immunosuppressive secretory phospholipase PLA2G2D. PLA2G2D(+) myeloid cells were substantially more abundant in TDLNs than they were in primary tumours or metastases. Genetic loss-of-function or antibody-mediated inhibition of PLA2G2D reduced tumour growth markedly, and single-cell transcriptomics in melanoma-bearing mice revealed that expression of Pla2g2d is confined to lymph-node macrophages. Mechanistically, PLA2G2D directly suppressed the early proliferation of T cells in vitro, and inhibiting PLA2G2D resulted in an expansion of tumour-specific T cells in TDLNs, leading to an increase in these T cells in the circulation and subsequently in tumours. Notably, PLA2G2D and PD-1 act as non-redundant immune checkpoints, with combination treatment showing additive or synergistic efficacy in humanized mice treated with human-specific antibodies. Collectively, our in-depth spatial profiling identifies PLA2G2D as a TDLN-centred targetable immune checkpoint for cancer immunotherapy.

Author Info: (1) Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam

Author Info: (1) Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (2) Apeximmune Therapeutics, Burlingame, CA, USA. (3) Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (4) Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Centre for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium. (5) Apeximmune Therapeutics, Burlingame, CA, USA. Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA. (6) Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Department of Surgical Oncology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (7) Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (8) Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (9) Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (10) Apeximmune Therapeutics, Burlingame, CA, USA. (11) Apeximmune Therapeutics, Burlingame, CA, USA. (12) Apeximmune Therapeutics, Burlingame, CA, USA. (13) Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan. (14) Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. (15) Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. (16) Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (17) Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (18) Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (19) Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (20) Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (21) Department of Haematology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (22) Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (23) Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (24) Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. (25) Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Centre for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium. Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. (26) Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Centre for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium. Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. (27) Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (28) Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Centre for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium. Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. (29) Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Department of Surgical Oncology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (30) Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Department of Surgical Oncology, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (31) Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. (32) Apeximmune Therapeutics, Burlingame, CA, USA. llee@apeximmune.com. (33) Apeximmune Therapeutics, Burlingame, CA, USA. klu@apeximmune.com. (34) Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. r.stadhouders@erasmusmc.nl. Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. r.stadhouders@erasmusmc.nl. (35) Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. f.dammeijer@erasmusmc.nl. Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. f.dammeijer@erasmusmc.nl.

Intratumoral T cell activation kills tumors regardless of T cell specificity

ABSTRACT: Immunotherapies putatively require tumor-specific T cells. Here we show how T cells can eliminate tumors without tumor specificity via paracrine signaling. Activating unexhausted bystander non-tumor-specific T cells within tumors resulted in tumor elimination without conventional recognition-dependent mechanisms and in the absence of any tumor-specific T cell receptor (TCR)αβ+ T cells. Robust T cell activation recruited immune cells, used innate leukocytes and triggered a tumoricidal combination of effector molecules and panoptotic pathways. Mechanistically, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor and nitric oxide induced caspase-dependent death, recapitulating melanoma clearance in mice or human melanoma cell death in vitro. Gene expression signatures associated with this response in mice were predictive of survival among human patients with melanoma. Thus, triggering productive T cell activation within tumors can be sufficient for immunotherapy, without needing to induce or rescue cancer-specific responses.

Author Info: (1) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapo

Author Info: (1) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. (2) Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA. Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry, and Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA. Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA. Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA. (3) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. (4) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. (5) Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry, and Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA. Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA. Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA. (6) Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry, and Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA. Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA. Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA. Department of Biology and Program in Biochemistry, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME, USA. (7) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. (8) Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry, and Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA. Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA. Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA. (9) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. (10) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. (11) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. (12) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. (13) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Dartmouth Cancer Center, Lebanon, NH, USA. (14) Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. (15) Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. (16) Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. (17) Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. (18) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. (19) Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry, and Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA. Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA. Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA. (20) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. masopust@umn.edu. Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA. masopust@umn.edu.

KRAS-G12C inhibition-induced enrichment of MHC-Ihigh immune-active tumor cells directs immune-effector TME development to augment therapeutic efficacy Spotlight 

Ibrahim et al. profiled sotorasib-induced changes in syngeneic KRASG12C/Trp53−/− lung and colon carcinoma models with and without anti-PD-1. scRNAseq revealed that sotorasib reduced proliferative tumor cells and enriched MHC-Ihigh immune-active tumor cells with elevated NF-κB and STAT1 signaling, chemokine expression, and inflammatory cytokine responsiveness. Immune-active tumor cell states were associated with increased effector T cells and MHC-IIhigh macrophages, reduced regulatory myeloid cells, and enhanced anti-PD-1 efficacy. Sotorasib-resistant tumors lacked MHC-Ihigh immune-active tumor cells and associated immune remodeling.

Contributed by Shishir Pant

Ibrahim et al. profiled sotorasib-induced changes in syngeneic KRASG12C/Trp53−/− lung and colon carcinoma models with and without anti-PD-1. scRNAseq revealed that sotorasib reduced proliferative tumor cells and enriched MHC-Ihigh immune-active tumor cells with elevated NF-κB and STAT1 signaling, chemokine expression, and inflammatory cytokine responsiveness. Immune-active tumor cell states were associated with increased effector T cells and MHC-IIhigh macrophages, reduced regulatory myeloid cells, and enhanced anti-PD-1 efficacy. Sotorasib-resistant tumors lacked MHC-Ihigh immune-active tumor cells and associated immune remodeling.

Contributed by Shishir Pant

ABSTRACT: Inhibition of KRASG12C (G12Ci) has shown promising clinical activity in several cancers; however, emergence of resistance is a major limitation to long-term benefit. It remains unknown how G12Ci impacts the tumor immune microenvironment and its association with resistance. We investigated the immune modulatory impact of the G12Ci sotorasib in KrasG12C/Trp53-/- (KP) lung and colon carcinoma models. Single-cell RNA sequencing of tumors in both models demonstrated sotorasib-induced loss of proliferative tumor cells and to the enrichment of immune-active tumor cells with elevated NF-_B and interferon signaling, and elevated MHC-I expression. These changes led to an increased proportion of effector T cells and MHC-IIhi macrophages in the tumors, and a reduced proportion of regulatory myeloid cells. Furthermore, sotorasib-resistant tumors exhibited a marked reduction of MHC-Ihigh immune-active tumor cells and immune cell type changes. Enrichment of immune-active tumor cells was associated directly with sotorasib-induced activation of NF-_B and STAT1, leading to heightened responsiveness to inflammatory cytokines and to upregulation of MHC-I and chemokine expression. These findings indicate that modulation of immune-active tumor cell populations is a key mechanism associated with G12Ci therapeutic efficacy and the development of resistance.

Author Info: (1) California Northstate University Elk grove United States. ROR: https://ror.org/03h0d2228 (2) Moffitt Cancer Center Tampa United States. ROR: https://ror.org/01xf75524 (3) Moffi

Author Info: (1) California Northstate University Elk grove United States. ROR: https://ror.org/03h0d2228 (2) Moffitt Cancer Center Tampa United States. ROR: https://ror.org/01xf75524 (3) Moffitt Cancer Center Tampa, FL United States. ROR: https://ror.org/01xf75524 (4) Moffitt Cancer Center United States. ROR: https://ror.org/01xf75524 (5) Moffitt Cancer Center United States. ROR: https://ror.org/01xf75524 (6) Moffitt Cancer Center Tampa, FL United States. ROR: https://ror.org/01xf75524 (7) Moffitt Cancer Center Tampa, FL United States. ROR: https://ror.org/01xf75524 (8) Moffitt Cancer Center Tampa, FL United States. ROR: https://ror.org/01xf75524 (9) Moffitt Cancer Center Tampa, FL United States. ROR: https://ror.org/01xf75524 (10) Moffitt Cancer Center Tampa, FL United States. ROR: https://ror.org/01xf75524 (11) Moffitt Cancer Center Tampa, FL United States. ROR: https://ror.org/01xf75524 (12) Moffitt Cancer Center Tampa, Florida United States. ROR: https://ror.org/01xf75524 (13) Moffitt Cancer Center Tampa, FL United States. ROR: https://ror.org/01xf75524 (14) H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute Tampa, FL United States.

Messenger RNA delivery of a dual CD25/CD122 affinity-tuned IL-2 variant prolongs exposure and potentiates antitumor T cell immunity Featured  

Vormehr et al. engineered an IL-2 variant with high affinity for IL-2Rβ and low affinity for IL-2Rα delivered as mRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles. Treatment of murine models showed expansion of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells with no impact on Tregs. Treatment worked synergistically with ICB and vaccination. The safety of clinically relevant doses was demonstrated in non-human primates.

Vormehr et al. engineered an IL-2 variant with high affinity for IL-2Rβ and low affinity for IL-2Rα delivered as mRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles. Treatment of murine models showed expansion of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells with no impact on Tregs. Treatment worked synergistically with ICB and vaccination. The safety of clinically relevant doses was demonstrated in non-human primates.

ABSTRACT: The therapeutic potential of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in cancer treatment is limited by toxicity challenges, partly due to an unfavorable pharmacokinetic profile and unintended activation of regulatory T (T(reg)) cells alongside the desired activation of CD8(+) effector T cells. To selectively stimulate CD8(+) T cells over T(reg) cells, we engineered an IL-2 variant (IL-2var) with a dual-tuned affinity profile that features reduced binding to IL-2R_ (CD25) and enhanced binding to IL-2R_ (CD122). To optimize its pharmacokinetics and facilitate tumor enrichment, the variant is fused to albumin and delivered as an mRNA encapsulated in a lipid nanoparticle (Alb-IL-2var RNA-LNP), enabling sustained systemic exposure from hepatic production upon intravenous administration. We show that Alb-IL-2var has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile and is tolerated at biologically active doses in immunocompetent mice and cynomolgus monkeys. Selective enhancement of CD8(+) T cell responses over T(reg) cells is demonstrated in vitro in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in vivo in mice and cynomolgus monkeys. When combined with an mRNA cancer vaccine in syngeneic subcutaneous mouse tumor models, Alb-IL-2var RNA-LNP stimulates the expansion of tumor-infiltrating and circulating tumor antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells, but not T(reg) cells. In advanced and cold syngeneic tumor models, it enhances the efficacy of radiotherapy, checkpoint inhibitors, and cancer vaccines. Combination with checkpoint inhibitors and vaccine induces profound proinflammatory conversion of cold tumors. These preclinical results validate a rational design approach to overcome the limitations of IL-2 therapy and support the clinical evaluation of Alb-IL-2var RNA-LNP for solid cancers.

Author Info: (1) BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany. (2) BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany. (3) BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany. (4) BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany. (5) BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany. (6) BioNTech SE

Author Info: (1) BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany. (2) BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany. (3) BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany. (4) BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany. (5) BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany. (6) BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany. (7) TRON gGmbH - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. (8) BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany. (9) BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany. (10) BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany. HI-TRON - Helmholtz Institute for Translational Oncology Mainz (HI-TRON Mainz) of the DKFZ, Mainz, Germany. (11) BioNTech SE, Mainz, Germany.

Intratumoral injection of EpCAM BITE, IL-12, and GM-CSF mRNA-LNPs blocks the growth of local treated and distant untreated tumors Spotlight 

Golubovskaya et al. showed that intratumoral delivery of an anti-human EpCAM-CD3 BiTE mRNA-LNP stops growth of only directly injected EpCAM+ human tumor xenografts in immuno-incompetent mice (with i.v. human T cells). When added to the BiTE-LNPs, IL-12+GM-CSF led to control of both injected and distal tumors. Combined treatment increased the expansion of injected human T cells, expression of T cell cytolysis pathway genes, and HLA class II- and APC-associated gene expression in tumors. In blood, GM-CSF, IL-12, and the BiTE peaked between 4 and 72 hrs post-delivery, and were minimally expressed in normal tissues.

Contributed by Paula Hochman

Golubovskaya et al. showed that intratumoral delivery of an anti-human EpCAM-CD3 BiTE mRNA-LNP stops growth of only directly injected EpCAM+ human tumor xenografts in immuno-incompetent mice (with i.v. human T cells). When added to the BiTE-LNPs, IL-12+GM-CSF led to control of both injected and distal tumors. Combined treatment increased the expansion of injected human T cells, expression of T cell cytolysis pathway genes, and HLA class II- and APC-associated gene expression in tumors. In blood, GM-CSF, IL-12, and the BiTE peaked between 4 and 72 hrs post-delivery, and were minimally expressed in normal tissues.

Contributed by Paula Hochman

ABSTRACT: We have previously shown that a T cell engaging bispecific humanized anti-human EpCAM-CD3 antibody efficiently kills a human EpCAM positive human xenograft in an NSG partially humanized mouse injected intravenously with human T cells when the anti-EpCAM-CD3 was delivered intratumorally as an mRNA-LNP. To extend these results we tested the effects of combining the anti-human EpCAM-CD3 with various cytokines injected into a tumor on the left side of NSG mice and an uninjected tumor on the right side of the mice. Combining both IL-12 and GM-CSF with anti-EpCAM-CD3 increased the number of T cells and the expression of genes and pathways that mediated T cell-based killing in the neighborhood of both the injected and the uninjected tumor and substantial increases in the expression of HLA Class II and associated genes in both tumors. This turned the cancer cells into potentially antigen-presenting cells. The effect of combining intratumoral injection of anti-EpCAM-CD3 with cytokines IL-12 and GM-CSF on tumor growth distal to the injection site avoids serious side effects on normal tissue, and suggests this technology offers a major approach to immunotherapy for treatment of a wide range of cancers from early to severe late stages.

Author Info: (1) Promab Biotechnologies, Richmond, CA 94564. IntraAb, Richmond, CA 94564. (2) Promab Biotechnologies, Richmond, CA 94564. IntraAb, Richmond, CA 94564. (3) Promab Biotechnologies

Author Info: (1) Promab Biotechnologies, Richmond, CA 94564. IntraAb, Richmond, CA 94564. (2) Promab Biotechnologies, Richmond, CA 94564. IntraAb, Richmond, CA 94564. (3) Promab Biotechnologies, Richmond, CA 94564. (4) Promab Biotechnologies, Richmond, CA 94564. (5) Promab Biotechnologies, Richmond, CA 94564. (6) Promab Biotechnologies, Richmond, CA 94564. (7) Promab Biotechnologies, Richmond, CA 94564. (8) IntraAb, Richmond, CA 94564. (9) Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, United Kingdom. ROR: https://ror.org/052gg0110 (10) Promab Biotechnologies, Richmond, CA 94564. IntraAb, Richmond, CA 94564.

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