Anti-programmed Cell Death-1 Antibody Research Articles

Tetracyclines enhance antitumor T-cell immunity via the Zap70 signaling pathway

BackgroundCancer immunotherapy including immune checkpoint inhibitors is only effective for a limited population of patients with cancer. Therefore, the development of novel cancer immunotherapy is anticipated. In preliminary studies, we...

Induction of Immunological Antitumor Effects by the Combination of Adenovirus-Mediated Gene Transfer of B7-1 and Anti-Programmed Cell Death-1 Antibody in a Murine Squamous Cell Carcinoma Model.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the antitumor immune effects of B7-1 gene expression in addition to immune checkpoint inhibitor against squamous cell carcinoma. A murine SCC cell line, KLN205, was infected with adenoviral vector carrying B7-1 (AdB7). Infected cells were injected subcutaneously in the flanks of DBA/2 mice. Three weeks after implantation, anti-mouse PD-1 antibody (antiPD1) was intraperitonially administrated twice a week for a total of six times. CD80 was significantly overexpressed in the AdB7-infected tumors. IFN-gamma in the T cells in the spleen was significantly increased and tumor size was significantly reduced in the mice treated with both AdB7 and antiPD1. Targeted tumors treated with both AdB7 and antiPD1 exhibited significantly increased cell densities of total immune cells as well as Ki-67+ CD8+ T cells and decreased regulatory T cells. These results suggest that the B7-1 gene transfer may enhance the antitumor effect of anti-PD1 antibody against SCC.

Immunotherapy in Gastric Cancer: A Review

Globally, gastric cancer (GC) ranks fourth in terms of cancer-related mortality. Patients diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) frequently have a median survival around 12-15 months, depending to the therapy. Immunotherapy is becoming an essential therapeutic strategy in medical oncology, and it is projected to make major advances to the way gastric cancer cure. The phase III ATTRACTION-2 showed that nivolumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), substantially increased overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) when given as a third- or later-line treatment, as compared to a placebo. Furthermore, nivolumab in combination with 5-fluorouracil and platinum as a first-line treatment increased OS in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-negative AGC in the international phase III CheckMate-649 investigation. Pembrolizumab, an additional anti PD-1 antibody, when used with trastuzumab and cytotoxic chemotherapy as first line treatment, demonstrated a substantial enhancement in the overall response rate among patients diagnosed with HER2-positive AGC. Hence, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are crucial in the present management of GC. Current research is actively investigating alternative treatment following ICI combination therapy, including ICI rechallenge or combination therapy with drugs that have distinct mechanisms of action. Several clinical trials are presently being done to employ immunotherapy as a treatment option in the perioperative and postoperative settings for patients with early gastric cancer, based on the success of immunotherapy in treating advanced gastric cancer (AGC). This article gives an overview of the recent breakthroughs in immunotherapy.

Changes in TgAb and TPOAb titers are greater in thyrotoxicosis than isolated hypothyroidism induced by PD-1 blockade.

Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and/or anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) positivity at baseline is a risk marker for thyroid immune-related adverse events (thyroid-irAEs) in anti-programmed cell death-1 antibody (PD-1-Ab) treatment; however, it is unknown if TgAb and TPOAb titers are associated with clinical characteristics of thyroid-irAEs. Among 586 patients treated with PD-1-Ab at Nagoya University Hospital between 2 November 2015 and 30 September 2021, 57 patients developed thyroid-irAEs (thyrotoxicosis [n = 38]; hypothyroidism without prior thyrotoxicosis {isolated hypothyroidism} [n = 19]) in whom thyroid function, and TgAb and TPOAb titers were determined at baseline and at the onset. The changes in TgAb (median, 54.8 vs. 0.2 IU/mL; p = 0.002) and TPOAb titers (31.6 vs. 0 IU/mL; p = 0.032) from baseline to onset of developing thyroid-irAEs were greater in patients with thyrotoxicosis than patients with isolated hypothyroidism. Higher TgAb and TPOAb titers, and the TgAb titer at baseline were associated with an earlier onset of thyrotoxicosis and higher peak free thyroxine levels, respectively. Twenty-eight patients who developed hypothyroidism after thyrotoxicosis had higher TgAb (54.5 vs. 10.7 IU/mL; p = 0.011) and TPOAb titers at baseline (46.1 vs. 9.0 IU/mL; p < 0.001) and greater changes in TgAb (61.7 vs. 7.8 IU/mL; p = 0.025) and TPOAb titers (52.8 vs. -0.8 IU/mL; p < 0.001) than patients who did not develop hypothyroidism. The TgAb titer at baseline and changes in the TgAb and TPOAb titers were greater in patients with thyrotoxicosis than patients with isolated hypothyroidism, suggesting that the magnitude of the thyroid autoimmune response reflects the clinical types of thyroid-irAEs.

Reactive cutaneous capillary endothelial proliferation following camrelizumab monotherapy or combination therapy for multi-cancers: a large-scale pooled analysis of 10 studies in China.

Skin toxicities are the most common adverse events related to immunotherapy, such as reactive cutaneous capillary endothelial proliferation (RCCEP) following treatment with the anti-programmed cell death-1 antibody camrelizumab. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze the clinical features and prognostic value of RCCEP in patients with malignancies who received camrelizumab alone (Camre) or in combination with the angiogenesis-targeted agent apatinib (Camre-Apa) or chemotherapy (Camre-Chemo). A large-scale pooled analysis. Individual patient-level data were derived from 10 clinical trials of camrelizumab monotherapy, camrelizumab plus apatinib, or camrelizumab plus chemotherapy (n = 1305). RCCEP occurred in 77.0% (516/670) of patients with Camre, 23.6% (70/296) with Camre-Apa, and 67.8% (230/339) with Camre-Chemo. Most RCCEP lesions were grade 1 or 2 in severity. The median time to onset was 0.8 months [interquartile range (IQR), 0.6-1.2] with Camre, 5.0 months (IQR, 2.7-8.0) with Camre-Apa, and 1.6 months (IQR, 1.0-4.2) with Camre-Chemo; and the median duration was 4.8 months (IQR, 2.6-8.8), 4.4 months (IQR, 1.7-8.9), and 7.2 months (IQR, 4.1-14.3), respectively. In all the three groups, patients with RCCEP showed significantly better clinical outcomes compared with those without [objective response rate: 23.8% versus 1.9% with Camre, 48.6% versus 21.2% with Camre-Apa, and 78.7% versus 54.1% with Camre-Chemo; median progression-free survival: 3.2 versus 1.7 months (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.36), 10.2 versus 4.5 months (HR = 0.39), and 12.7 versus 7.3 months (HR = 0.38); median overall survival: 13.3 versus 3.8 months (HR = 0.34), 29.2 versus 13.5 months (HR = 0.46), and not reached versus 12.8 months (HR = 0.19); all p < 0.0001]. Although RCCEP occurred frequently with camrelizumab, most lesions were mild and self-limiting. The occurrence of RCCEP was strongly associated with the antitumor activity and survival of camrelizumab, both as monotherapy and in combination therapy.

Blockade of EP4 by ASP7657 Modulates Myeloid Cell Differentiation In Vivo and Enhances the Antitumor Effect of Radiotherapy.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is thought to influence the antitumor efficacy of immuno-oncology agents through various products of both tumor and stromal cells. One immune-suppressive factor is prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a lipid mediator whose biosynthesis is regulated by ubiquitously expressed cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 1 and inducible COX-2. By activating its receptors, PGE2 induces immune suppression to modulate differentiation of myeloid cells into myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) rather than dendritic cells (DCs). Pharmacological blockade of prostaglandin E receptor 4 (EP4) causes a decrease in MDSCs, reprogramming of macrophage polarization, and increase in tumor-infiltrated T cells, leading to enhancement of antitumor immunity in preclinical models. Here, we report the effects of the highly potent EP4 antagonist ASP7657 on the DC population in tumor and antitumor immune activation in an immunocompetent mouse tumor model. Oral administration of ASP7657 inhibited tumor growth, which was accompanied by an increase in intratumor DC and CD8+ T cell populations and a decrease in the M-MDSC population in a CT26 immunocompetent mouse model. The antitumor activity of ASP7657 was dependent on CD8+ T cells and enhanced when combined with an antiprogrammed cell death-1 (PD-1) antibody. Notably, ASP7657 also significantly enhanced the antitumor efficacy of radiotherapy in an anti-PD-1 antibody refractory model. These results indicate that the therapeutic potential of ASP7657 arises via upregulation of DCs and subsequent CD8+ T cell activation in addition to suppression of MDSCs in mouse models and that combining EP4 antagonists with radiotherapy or an anti-PD-1 antibody can improve antitumor efficacy.

Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Anti-Programmed Cell Death-1 Antibody Plus Lenvatinib and Chemotherapy as First-Line Therapy for Patients with Stage IV Gallbladder Cancer: A Real-World Study in a Chinese Population.

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) antibody plus lenvatinib (tyrosine kinase inhibitor) therapy and chemotherapy as the first-line treatment to unresectable stage IV gallbladder cancer (GBC). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with stage IV GBC who received chemotherapy or anti-PD-1 antibody combined with lenvatinib therapy at our hospital from March 2018 to October 2022. Patients with previous antitumor treatment were excluded. The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and adverse events (AEs) were assessed. Results: A total of 64 patients were enrolled, of which 33 patients received chemotherapy (gemcitabine + cisplatin) in the chemotherapy group, and 31 patients received anti-PD-1antibody (camrelizumab) combined with lenvatinib therapy in the combined therapy group. The median OS was 12.00 months in the combined therapy group and 10.00 months in the chemotherapy group (hazard ratio (HR), 0.57; 95% CI: 0.32-1.03; p < 0.05). The median PFS was 9.00 months in the combined therapy group and 6.00 months in the chemotherapy group (HR, 0.46; 95% CI: 0.25-0.84; p < 0.01). The ORR was 54.84% and 39.39% in the combined therapy and chemotherapy groups, respectively, and the difference was not significant (p = 0.22). The DCR was 80.65% and 72.72% in the combined therapy and chemotherapy groups, respectively (p = 0.46). One patient successfully underwent radical surgery after 8 months of combined therapy and achieved a pathological complete response. Furthermore, no patients experienced AEs of hematologic toxic effects in the combined therapy group compared with the chemotherapy group, demonstrating the advantage of the combined therapy. Conclusions: Anti-PD-1 antibody combined with lenvatinib may be a potentially effective and tolerable first-line treatment for unresectable stage IV GBC.

FRI253 Concurrent Adrenal Insufficiency And Hyperthyroidism In A Breast Cancer Patient Treated With Pembrolizumab Therapy

Abstract Disclosure: A.U. Kulkarni: None. D.T. Patel: None. E.B. Ruby: None. Anti-programmed cell death-1 (Anti-PD1) antibodies (e.g., Pembrolizumab) are immune checkpoint inhibitors that are widely in use for the treatment of many advanced malignancies. This has resulted in various side effects known as irAEs (immune-related adverse events). Endocrine irAEs include hypophysitis, adrenal insufficiency (AI), hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism. A 40-yo female with a history of recently diagnosed triple-negative breast cancer, status post chemotherapy, and immunotherapy with Pembrolizumab (last treatment a month prior to presentation) came in with fatigue, weight loss, and persistent vomiting for two weeks. Her initial BP was noted to be 80/50 mmHg, with HR 108bpm. She appeared weak and tired with no other abnormalities on physical exam. The thyroid was normal with no enlargement. Significant labs were creatinine 1.4mg/dL (0.4-1.3mg/dL), corrected calcium 12.8mg/dL, TSH of &amp;lt;0.01mUI/L and fT4 of 4.47ng/dL (0.61-1.12ng/dL) (thyroid tests were previously normal). The patient was admitted to the ICU for hypovolemic shock refractory to IV fluids and endocrinology was consulted for multiple hormonal abnormalities. AKI and hypercalcemia were likely from dehydration as they subsequently resolved with IV fluids. AM cortisol level was low at 0.7ug/dL(3-16ug/dL). The cosyntropin test was positive, confirming AI. ACTH level was &amp;lt;5pg/mL (normal&amp;lt;46pg/mL) indicating a diagnosis of secondary AI, likely from immunotherapy. She was initiated on IV hydrocortisone. MRI brain was obtained to evaluate for hypophysitis which was unremarkable. Further thyroid testing was pursued which showed negative Thyroid peroxidase and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. Thyroid scan showed a focal hot nodule in the left lobe suspicious for an autonomous nodule. She was started on beta blockers and methimazole with the goal of optimizing her thyroid function prior to her elective mastectomy. Pembrolizumab was discontinued with the plan to re-challenge after surgery. BP stabilized and she was discharged home on hydrocortisone with close outpatient follow-up with Endocrinology and Oncology. The clinical manifestations of Anti-PD1-associated AI are very non-specific and difficult to diagnose as they can be confused with the cancer-related illness itself or chemotherapy. Multiple endocrine abnormalities on initial labs with recent Pembrolizumab therapy in our patient raised suspicion for irAEs. Even though the occurrence of AI from anti-PD1 drugs is extremely rare, being &amp;lt;1%, it can be life-threatening. Very few cases of Anti-PD1-induced thyroid dysfunction have been reported, however further testing in our patient confirmed hyperthyroidism from a toxic thyroid nodule. With the increasing popularity of these drugs, endocrinological complications are on the rise, and we as clinicians need to be vigilant and intervene at an early stage to prevent irreversible and fatal outcomes. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023

Cell microparticles loaded with tumor antigen and resiquimod reprogram tumor-associated macrophages and promote stem-like CD8+ T cells to boost anti-PD-1 therapy

The durable response rate to immune checkpoint blockade such as anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) antibody remains relatively low in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), mainly depending on an immunosuppressive microenvironment with limited number of CD8+ T cells, especially stem-like CD8+ T cells, in tumor tissues. Here we develop engineered microparticles (MPs) derived from alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-overexpressing macrophages to load resiquimod (R848@M2pep-MPsAFP) for enhanced anti-PD-1 therapy in HCC. R848@M2pep-MPsAFP target and reprogram immunosuppressive M2-like tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) into M1-like phenotype. Meanwhile, R848@M2pep-MPsAFP-reprogrammed TAMs act as antigen-presenting cells, not only presenting AFP antigen to activate CD8+ T cell-mediated antitumor immunity, but also providing an intra-tumoral niche to maintain and differentiate stem-like CD8+ T cells. Combination immunotherapy with anti-PD-1 antibody generates strong antitumor immune memory and induces abundant stem-like CD8+ T cell proliferation and differentiation to terminally exhausted CD8+ T cells for long-term immune surveillance in orthotopic and autochthonous HCC preclinical models in male mice. We also show that the R848-loaded engineered MPs derived from macrophages overexpressing a model antigen ovalbumin (OVA) can improve anti-PD-1 therapy in melanoma B16-OVA tumor-bearing mice. Our work presents a facile and generic strategy for personalized cancer immunotherapy to boost anti-PD-1 therapy.

Alum-tuned hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel with immune checkpoint inhibition for immunophoto therapy of cancer

Alum-crosslinked hyaluronic acid-dopamine (HD) hydrogel containing indocyanine green (ICG) with anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) antibody (Ab) administration was developed for immunophoto therapy of cancer. Alum modulates the rheological characteristics of hydrogel for enabling syringe injection, shear-thinning feature, and slower biodegradation. In addition, alum in HD-based hydrogel provided CD8+ T cell-mediated immune responses for cancer therapy. ICG in the hydrogel under near-infrared (NIR) light exposure may induce hyperthermia and generate singlet oxygen for selective cancer cell killing. HD/alum/ICG hydrogel injection with NIR laser irradiation elevated PD-1 level in CD8+ T cells. Administration of PD-1 Ab aiming at highly expressed PD-1 in T cells may amplify the anticancer efficacies of HD/alum/ICG hydrogel along with NIR laser. HD/alum/ICG hydrogel with NIR light may have both CD8+ T cell-linked immune responses and ICG-related photodynamic/photothermal effects. Additional injection of immune checkpoint inhibitor can ultimately suppress primary and distant tumor growth by combination with those therapeutic actions.

Biomarkers for Predicting Anti-Programmed Cell Death-1 Antibody Treatment Effects in Head and Neck Cancer.

In recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M-HNSCC), survival outcomes are significantly better in patients who receive anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody therapy than in those who receive standard therapy. However, there is no established biomarker that can predict the anti-PD-1 antibody treatment effect and immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in these patients. This study investigated the inflammatory and nutritional status in 42 patients with R/M-HNSCC and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) polymorphisms (rs4143815 and rs2282055) in 35 of the 42 patients. The 1- and 2-year overall survival was 59.5% and 28.6%, respectively; the 1- and 2-year first progression-free survival was 19.0% and 9.5%, respectively, and the respective second progression-free survival was 50% and 27.8%. Performance status and inflammatory and nutritional status (assessed by the geriatric nutritional risk index, modified Glasgow prognostic score, and prognostic nutritional index) were identified as significant indicators of survival outcomes in multivariate analysis. Patients with ancestral alleles in PD-L1 polymorphisms had less frequent irAEs. Performance status and inflammatory and nutritional status before treatment were closely related to survival outcomes after PD-1 therapy. These indicators can be calculated using routine laboratory data. PD-L1 polymorphisms may be biomarkers for predicting irAEs in patients receiving anti-PD-1 therapy.

Camrelizumab Plus Apatinib and Temozolomide as First-Line Treatment in Patients With Advanced Acral Melanoma

Acral melanoma, known for low tumor mutation burden, responds poorly to immunotherapy. A standard therapy is still lacking. To investigate the activity and safety of camrelizumab (an anti-programmed cell death-1 antibody) plus apatinib (a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 inhibitor) and temozolomide as first-line treatment in patients with advanced acral melanoma. In this single-arm, single-center, phase 2 nonrandomized clinical trial, patients with treatment-naive unresectable stage III or IV acral melanoma were enrolled at Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute between June 4, 2020, and August 24, 2021. The data cutoff date was April 10, 2022. Patients received 4-week cycles of intravenous camrelizumab, 200 mg, every 2 weeks; oral apatinib 250 mg, once daily; and intravenous temozolomide, 200 mg/m2, once daily on days 1 to 5 until disease progression or unacceptable toxic effects. The primary end point was objective response rate as assessed by investigators according to the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (version 1.1). Secondary end points included progression-free survival, time to response, duration of response, disease control rate, overall survival, and safety. A total of 50 patients (32 men [64%]; median age, 57 years [IQR, 52-62 years]) were enrolled and received treatment. The median follow-up duration was 13.4 months (IQR, 9.6-16.2 months). The objective response rate was 64.0% (32 of 50; 95% CI, 49.2%-77.1%). The median time to response and duration of response were 2.7 months (IQR, 0.9-2.9 months) and 17.5 months (95% CI, 12.0 to not reached), respectively. The disease control rate was 88.0% (44 of 50; 95% CI, 75.7%-95.5%). The estimated median progression-free survival was 18.4 months (95% CI, 10.6 to not reached). The median overall survival was not reached. The most common grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events were increased gamma-glutamyltransferase levels (15 [30%]), decreased neutrophil count (11 [22%]), increased conjugated bilirubin levels (10 [20%]), and increased aspartate aminotransferase levels (10 [20%]). No treatment-related deaths occurred. The findings of this nonrandomized clinical trial suggest that camrelizumab plus apatinib and temozolomide may be a potential first-line treatment option for patients with advanced acral melanoma, which warrants further validation in a randomized clinical trial. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04397770.

Analysis of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in the phase 1b clinical trial of anti–PD-1 ab (toripalimab) plus intrahepatic injection of orienX010 in stage IV melanoma with liver metastases.

9564 Background: Advanced melanoma with liver metastasis has a lower response rate and survival even in immunotherapy era which might because of its immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. CPI combined with TVEC had showed a remarkable in cutaneous melanoma. The initial results of the phase 1b trial, systemic toripalimab (anti-programmed cell death-1 antibody) combined with Intratumoral injection of liver with OrienX010 - a HSV-1-derived oncolytic virotherapy with expression of GM-CSF in liver metastasis patients without extra-hepatic injectable lesions had shown its efficacy. Here we present the PFS and overall survival (OS) outcomes. Methods: Eligible pts included those over 18 with injectable liver metastasis confirmed by biopsy with or without extra-hepatic metastasis; the ocular melanoma and brain metastasis were excluded. Pts received intravenous toripalimab Q2W combined with ultrasound guided intratumoral injection of OrienX010 Q2W (8×107 pfu/ml, 10ml per injection) until intolerance or disease progression per iRECIST criteria. Liver biopsy would be performed at baseline and first tumor evaluation (8-12weeks). The primary endpoint was toxicity; secondary endpoints included ORR, disease control rate (DCR), PFS and OS. NCT04206358. Results: From Jul 2019 to Feb 2023, 30 pts enrolled. 60.0% pts primary from mucosal,; 73.3% got extra-hepatic metastasis; median size of injected lesions: 24mm(10-94mm); median number of liver metastasis: 7(1-10); median number of injection: 10 (3-36). Among these pts, 29 pts could be evaluated for efficacy. The median PFS was 7.0months (95%CI: 4.7-9.3 months) and the median OS was not reached. The 3-year OS rates 51.5%. The global ORR by investigator was 20.7% (6/29), DCR 48.3% (14/29); the response rate was 31.0%(9/29) for injected lesions, 30.0%(6/20) for non-injected lesions in liver, and 27.8% (5/18) for extra-hepatic metastases. For pts（21.7%( 2 PR and 3 SD)）with no melanoma cells residual by immunohistochemistry in biopsies the median PFS was 14.0 months (95%CI: 3.7-24.4 months), and it was much longer than that of other pts which was 4.1 months (95%CI: 1.4-6.8 months). The median OS of the pts with no melanoma cells was 19.7 months (95%CI: 7.5-31.9 months). Most adverse events (AE) were grade 1-2 and manageable. The grade 3-4 treatment-related AE included elevated transaminase (3 [10.0%]), nausea (1 [3.3%]), pulmonary embolism (1 [3.3%]) and vomiting (1 [3.3%]). No treatment-related deaths occurred. Conclusions: Systemic toripalimab combined with intrahepatic OrienX010 injection has shown remarkable long PFS, OS and ORR in melanoma pts with liver metastases with manageable toxicity. Clinical trial information: Clinical trial information: NCT04206358 .

A phase II study cohort of penpulimab plus anlotinib in patients with recurrent or metastatic non-squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck.

e18013 Background: Recurrent or metastatic non-squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (R/M non-SCCHN) lack effective systemic treatment. The feasibility of the combination of immune checkpoint inhibitor and anti-angiogenic agents in the treatment of R/M non-SCCHN was unknown. Penpulimab is a novel anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) antibody with complete elimination of FcγR binding activity. Anlotinib is a multi-kinase inhibitor blocking angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation simultaneously. ALTN-AK105-II-01 is a single-arm, multi-cohort, multi-center phase II study to investigate the efficacy and safety of penpulimab plus anlotinib in the treatment of various advanced cancers. Here we report the results of the cohort 2 for patients (pts) with R/M non-SCCHN. Methods: Eligible pts were aged 18 years or older and diagnosed with histologically confirmed R/M non-SCCHN. Other inclusion criteria included ECOG PS 0-1 and having at least one measurable lesion according to RECIST 1.1, and anti-angiogenic agents or immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment-naïve. Pts were given penpulimab 200mg intravenously on day 1 and oral anlotinib 12mg once daily from day 1 to day 14 every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicities. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. Results: From May 21, 2020 to October 14, 2020, 21 pts were enrolled in 7 centers in China. The most common site of primary tumor was salivary gland (15/21, 71.4%) and the most common pathological types included adenoid cystic carcinoma (7/21, 33.3%) and duct carcinoma (4/21, 19.0%). 15 pts (71.4%) had distant metastatic lesions and 12 pts (57.1%) had prior chemotherapy history. As of October 20, 2022 (data cut-off), 4 pts achieved confirmed partial response and the ORR was 19.0%. Stable disease (SD) was observed in 17 pts and the DCR was 100%. The median follow-up for PFS was 14.2 months (95%CI: 7.8, 20.6), 9 pts suffered disease progression and the median PFS was 10.6 months (95%CI: 0.0, 22.4). 14 pts (66.7%) experienced at least one ≥grade 3 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) and the most common ≥grade 3 TRAEs was hypertension (15.0%). No treatment-related death was reported. Conclusions: The combination of penpulimab and anlotinib showed encouraging efficacy and favorable safety profile in R/M non-SCCHN and is worthy of further investigation. Clinical trial information: NCT04203719 .

Penpulimab plus platinum-based chemotherapy combined with anlotinib in first-line treatment for persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer: A single-arm, open-label phase Ⅱ study (ALTN-AK105-II-06).

e17512 Background: Penpulimab is a novel human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) antibody. Anlotinib is a novel oral multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor and primary targeted to VEGFR, FGFR, PDGFR and c-Kit. ALTN-AK105-II-06 (ChiCTR2200062897) is a single-arm, open phase Ⅱ clinical trial aimed to assess the effiacy and safety of penpulimab plus chemotherapy combined with anlotinib as fist-line therapy for persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer. Methods: Eligible adults with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer not previously treated with systemic chemotherapy and not amenable curative treatment, with CPS more than 1% PD-L1 expression, and ECOG 0-1 were considered eligible for enrolment. Patients received 2 cycles of penpulimab 200mg Q3W + chemotherapy (paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 + cisplatin 50 mg/m2 or carboplatin AUC 5) + anlotinib 10mg, following with penpulimab and anlotinib for maintenance therapy. Patients were treated on continuous 3 weeks of penpulimab for up to 2 years, until disease progression, or unacceptable toxicities. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), disease control rate (DCR), duration of response (DoR), overall survival (OS), 6-month PFS, safety and quality of life. Results: From Sep 2022 to Feb 2023, 9 patients were recruited with a median age of 56.4 years (range: 45-66), FIGO histopathological stage IIB (33.3%), III (44.5%) and IV (22.2%) were enrolled. 22.2% patients had ECOG PS 0. At data cutoff date (Feb 02, 2023), 8 patients had at least one post treatment anti-tumor assessment. 1 (12.5%) patient achieved CR, 6 (75%) patients achieved PR and 1 (12.5%) patient NE. The ORR was 87.5%. Median PFS and OS were not reached. Grade ≥3 TRAEs incidence was 44.44%. The most common grade ≥3 TRAEs were hypertension (22.22%), leukopenia (11.11%), neutropenia (11.11%) and hypertriglyceridemia (11.11%). Conclusions: This chemo-less therapy of only 2 cycles of chemotherapy combined with penpulimab + anlotinib in first-line treatment, maintaining with penpulimab and anlotinib showed promising efficacy with a favourable toxicity profile for patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer. We will report more data in the future. Clinical trial information: ChiCTR2200062897 .

Neoadjuvant tislelizumab combined with APF for patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A prospective single-arm clinical trial.

6080 Background: Seeking out a more effective and less-toxic regimen is necessary for patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant anti-programmed cell death-1 antibody tislelizumab combined with APF (albumin-bound paclitaxel, platinum and fluorouracil) followed by surgery or concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Methods: In this prospective, single-center, single-arm clinical study, previously untreated patients with locally advanced HNSCC, aged 18-75 years without severe comorbidities and contraindications to immunotherapy are enrolled. Eligible patients received A (200 mg/m2 d1) P (60 mg/m2 d1- d2) F (600 mg/m2 CIV120h) induction chemotherapy along with tislelizumab (200 mg d1) every 3 weeks. The curative effect is evaluated (RECIST 1.1) after 3 cycles and a multidisciplinary team discuss whether to perform surgery. For patients undergoing surgery, treatment is completed if there is no residual and extra-capsular lymph node invasion; in case of positive surgical margin, or extracapsular lymph node invasion, or residual lymph nodes, patient will receive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (tumor bed and neck lymph drainage area 66 Gy~70 Gy, P 60 mg/m2). Those not suitable for surgery will receive radical concurrent chemoradiotherapy (GTV 66Gy~70Gy, PTV 50Gy, P 60 mg/m2) within 3 weeks after neoadjuvant treatment. The primary endpoint of efficacy evaluation is the pathological complete response (pCR) rate. Safety evaluation indicators include vital signs, laboratory indicators and adverse events (NCI CTC AE4.0). Results: From Apr 2022 to Jan 2023, 12 patients are screened and enrolled. For the 7 patients who complete 3 cycles of neoadjuvant therapy, 3 patients (42.8%) successfully undergo surgery, with 2 patients (28.5%) achieving pCR and 1 patient (14.3%) achieving major pathological response (MPR). For the other 4 patients, 1 patient (14.3%) achieve pCR by multipoint biopsy of the primary lesion and 2 patients (28.5%) obtain radiologic partial response (PR) by MRI. 1 patient’ lymph nodes tend to increase during radiotherapy and that patient withdraw from clinical trial and undergo salvage surgery. The objective response rate (ORR) of neoadjuvant treatment is 85.7% and pCR rate is 42.9%. Grade 2 or higher AEs during neoadjuvant therapy include grade 2 liver function damage (n = 1, 8.3%), grade 3 myelosuppression (n = 1, 8.3%). 1 (8.3%) patient developed radiation-related oral mucositis (RTOG 2). No other obvious adverse reactions of radiotherapy, chemotherapy or immunotherapy are observed. Conclusions: Combining Tislelizumab with APF followed by surgery or radical concurrent chemoradiotherapy is feasible and effective in patients with locally advanced HNSCC, and further studies are needed to verify its effectiveness and safety.

Risk of Thyroid Dysfunction in PD-1 Blockade Is Stratified by the Pattern of TgAb and TPOAb Positivity at Baseline.

Positive antithyroglobulin (TgAb) and/or antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) at baseline indicate a high risk of thyroid immune-related adverse events (irAEs) induced by antiprogrammed cell death-1 antibodies (anti-PD-1-Ab). However, whether the positivity patterns of both antibodies are associated with the risk of thyroid irAEs is unknown. The aim of the present study was to clarify the association of the pattern of TgAb and TPOAb positivity at baseline with the risk of thyroid irAEs induced by anti-PD-1-Ab. Patients (n = 516) were evaluated for TgAb and TPOAb at baseline and prospectively for thyroid function every 6 weeks for 24 weeks after initiating anti-PD-1-Ab. Fifty-one (9.9%) patients developed thyroid irAEs (thyrotoxicosis in 34, hypothyroidism without prior thyrotoxicosis in 17). Twenty-five patients subsequently developed hypothyroidism following thyrotoxicosis. The cumulative incidence of thyroid irAEs differed among 4 groups classified by the presence of TgAb/TPOAb at baseline (group 1: TgAb-(-)/TPOAb-(-), 4.6% [19/415]; group 2: TgAb-(-)/TPOAb-(+), 15.8% [9/57]; group 3: TgAb-(+)/TPOAb-(-), 42.1% [8/19]; group 4: TgAb-(+)/TPOAb-(+), 60.0% [15/25]) as follows: groups 1 vs 2-4 (P ≤ .001) and groups 2 vs 3 (P = .008) and 4 (P < .001). There were different incidences of thyrotoxicosis (groups 1-4, 3.1%, 5.3%, 31.6%, 48.0%, respectively; P < .001) in groups 1 vs 3 and 4, and groups 2 vs 3 and 4, and of hypothyroidism (groups 1-4: 2.9%, 15.8%, 31.6%, 60.0%, respectively; P < .001) in groups 1 vs 2 to 4, and groups 2 vs 4. The risk of thyroid irAEs was affected by the pattern of TgAb and TPOAb positivity at baseline; there were high risks of thyrotoxicosis in patients with TgAb-(+) and of hypothyroidism in patients with TgAb-(+) and those with TPOAb-(+).

Anti-tumor effects of anti-programmed cell death-1 antibody treatment are attenuated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Hyperglycemia impairs immune response; however, it remains unknown whether the anti-tumor effects of anti-programmed cell death-1 antibody (PD-1-Ab) treatment are changed in hyperglycemic conditions. We analyzed the effect of PD-1-Ab on tumor growth in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice (STZ-mice) subcutaneously inoculated with MC38 (a colon carcinoma cell line). Furthermore, we assessed the expression of chemokines by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array in tumor-draining lymph nodes (dLNs) of these mice and MC38 cells cultured in different glucose concentrations. The suppressive effect of PD-1-Ab on tumor growth was attenuated. This was accompanied by fewer tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, and STZ-mice had fewer tumor-infiltrating CD11c+ dendritic cells (DCs) than normoglycemic mice. mRNA expression levels of CXCL9, a chemokine recruiting CD8+ T cells, were lower in dLNs of STZ-mice than in normoglycemic mice after PD-1-Ab treatment, and its protein was expressed in DCs. In MC38 cells cultured with 25 mM glucose, mRNA expression of CCL7, a chemokine recruiting DCs, was decreased compared to cells cultured with 5 mM glucose. These results suggest that the STZ-induced hyperglycemia impairs the effect of PD-1-Ab treatment on MC38 tumor growth, and is accompanied by reduced infiltration of DCs and CD8+ T cells and decreased expression of CCL7 and CXCL9.

Anti-Programmed Cell Death-1 Antibody and Dasatinib Combination Therapy Exhibits Efficacy in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Mouse Models.

In this study, we investigated the in vivo metastasis suppression effects of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor inhibitor dasatinib, which targets cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), in combination with an anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) antibody. We classified clinical CRC cases as inflamed, excluded, or desert using immunohistochemical analysis and evaluated the tumor stroma. The excluded type was the most common, and cases with high-volume stroma in the primary lesions also had a high stromal volume in the liver metastatic lesions. Liver-metastasis mouse models with different stromal volumes were established and treatment-induced changes in the tumor immune microenvironment were evaluated. The anti-PD-1 antibody alone exhibited a therapeutic effect for the liver metastases with low stromal volumes but not for the liver metastases with high stromal volumes. In contrast, antitumor effects were observed with anti-PD-1 antibody/dasatinib combination therapy even in the liver metastases with high stromal volumes. Combination therapy reduced the stromal volume, promoted immune cell infiltration, induced antitumor cytotoxic T-cell responses, activated antitumor immunity, and promoted tumor regression. These results suggest that CAFs play an important role in the immune evasion of CRC and that anti-PD-1 antibody/dasatinib combination therapy has potential as a treatment option for patients with metastatic CRC for whom immunotherapy alone is ineffective.

Pembrolizumab in combination with tocilizumab in high-risk hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (COPERNICO): A randomized proof-of-concept phase II study

ObjectivesSevere COVID-19 is associated with immune dysregulation and hyperinflammation (lymphocyte exhaustion and elevated interleukin 6. Pembrolizumab (P; immune-activating anti-programmed cell death-1 antibody) plus tocilizumab (TCZ; anti- interleukin 6 receptor antibody) might interrupt the hyperinflammation and restore cellular immunocompetence. We assessed the efficacy and safety of P + TCZ + standard of care (SOC) in high-risk, hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia without mechanical ventilation. MethodsRandomized, controlled, open-label, phase II trial in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection to assess the hospitalization period to discharge. ResultsA total of 12 patients were randomized (P + TCZ + SOC, n = 7; SOC, n = 5). Nine (75%) were males, with a median age of 68 (41-79) years. The median time to discharge for P + TCZ + SOC and SOC was 10 and 47.5 days (P = 0.03), with zero (n = 1 patient had P-related grade 5 myositis) and two COVID-19-related deaths, respectively. ConclusionThe addition of P and TCZ to SOC reduced the hospitalization period, with higher and faster discharges without sequelae than SOC alone.