Abstract P5-04-12: Targeting of phosphatidylserine by monoclonal antibodies enhances activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors in breast tumors

Abstract

Abstract Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a phospholipid normally residing in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane and becomes exposed on tumor vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and tumor cells. PS exposure becomes enhanced in response to chemotherapy, irradiation, and oxidative stresses in the tumor microenvironment. PS exposure in tumors promotes an immunosuppressive microenvironment which includes the recruitment of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), immature dendritic cells, and M2-like macrophages as well as the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Binding of PS targeting antibodies on tumor endothelial cells, tumor cells and their secreted microparticles triggers an Fc-FcR mediated pro-inflammatory cellular and cytokine response that reverses the immunosuppressive PS meditated checkpoint, thereby enhancing anti-tumor immunity. A chimeric PS-targeting antibody, bavituximab, is being used in combination with chemotherapy to treat patients with solid tumors in multiple late-stage clinical trials. Using breast tumors in immune competent mice, we demonstrate PS targeting antibodies enhance the anti-tumor activity of anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies in the presence and absence of conventional chemotharapy. Tumor growth inhibition correlates with infiltration of immune cells in tumors and induction of adaptive immunity. The combination of these mechanisms promotes strong, localized, anti-tumor responses without the side-effects of systemic immune activation. Citation Format: Bruce Freimark, Jian Gong, Van Nguyen, Shen Yin, Rich Archer, Jeff Hutchins. Targeting of phosphatidylserine by monoclonal antibodies enhances activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors in breast tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-04-12.