Hughson, Hannon, et al. found that the combination of intratumoral delivery of IL-12 mRNA lipid nanoparticles with stereotactic body radiation (SBRT) was highly effective in both primary and metastatic murine pancreatic tumor models, producing cures and long-term memory. Treatment efficacy was IFNγ-dependent and required both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. ScRNA sequencing of T cells isolated from SBRT/IL-12mRNA-treated tumors showed that highly proliferative and effector subtypes predominated, with a complete loss of exhausted T cell markers. SBRT drove clonal TCR expansion, while IL-12, transiently localized to the tumor, enhanced effector functions.
Contributed by Katherine Turner
ABSTRACT: The immunosuppressive milieu in pancreatic cancer (PC) is a significant hurdle to treatments, resulting in survival statistics that have barely changed in 5 decades. Here we present a combination treatment consisting of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and IL-12 mRNA lipid nanoparticles delivered directly to pancreatic murine tumors. This treatment was effective against primary and metastatic models, achieving cures in both settings. IL-12 protein concentrations were transient and localized primarily to the tumor. Depleting CD4 and CD8 T cells abrogated treatment efficacy, confirming they were essential to treatment response. Single cell RNA sequencing from SBRT/IL-12 mRNA treated tumors demonstrated not only a complete loss of T cell exhaustion, but also an abundance of highly proliferative and effector T cell subtypes. SBRT elicited T cell receptor clonal expansion, whereas IL-12 licensed these cells with effector function. This is the first report demonstrating the utility of SBRT and IL-12 mRNA in PC. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrates the use of a novel combination treatment consisting of radiation and immunotherapy in murine pancreatic tumors. This treatment could effectively treat local and metastatic disease, suggesting it may have the potential to treat a cancer that has not seen a meaningful increase in survival in 5 decades.