Checkpoint Blockade Antibodies Research Articles

TIMP1 mediates astrocyte-dependent local immunosuppression in brain metastasis acting on infiltrating CD8+ T cells.

Immunotherapies against brain metastases have shown clinical benefits when applied to asymptomatic patients, but they are largely ineffective in symptomatic cases for unknown reasons. Here we dissect the heterogeneity in metastasis-associated astrocytes using scRNAseq and report a population that blocks the antitumoral activity of infiltrating T cells. This pro-tumoral activity is mediated by the secretion of TIMP1 from a cluster of pSTAT3+ astrocytes that acts on CD63+ CD8+ T cells to modulate their function. Using genetic and pharmacologic approaches in mouse and human brain metastasis models, we demonstrate that combining immune checkpoint blockade antibodies with the inhibition of astrocyte-mediated local immunosuppression may benefit patients with symptomatic brain metastases. We further reveal that the presence of TIMP1 in liquid biopsies provides a biomarker to select patients for this combined immunotherapy. Overall, our findings demonstrate an unexpected immunomodulatory role for astrocytes in brain metastases with clinical implications.

CD28 co-stimulation: novel insights and applications in cancer immunotherapy.

Substantial progress in understanding T cell signalling, particularly with respect to T cell co-receptors such as the co-stimulatory receptor CD28, has been made in recent years. This knowledge has been instrumental in the development of innovative immunotherapies for patients with cancer, including immune checkpoint blockade antibodies, adoptive cell therapies, tumour-targeted immunostimulatory antibodies, and immunostimulatory small-molecule drugs that regulate T cell activation. Following the failed clinical trial of a CD28 superagonist antibody in 2006, targeted CD28 agonism has re-emerged as a technologically viable and clinically promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. In this Review, we explore recentinsights into the molecular functions and regulation of CD28. We describe how CD28 is central to the success of current cancer immunotherapies and examine how new questions arising from studies of CD28 as a clinical target have enhanced our understanding of its biological role and may guide the development of future therapeutic strategies in oncology.

CXCL5 impedes CD8+ T cell immunity by upregulating PD-L1 expression in lung cancer via PXN/AKT signaling phosphorylation and neutrophil chemotaxis

BackgroundLung cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancer types worldwide, with a high mortality rate. Upregulation of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) may represent a key mechanism for evading immune surveillance. Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) antibodies against PD-1 or PD-L1 are therefore widely used to treat patients with lung cancer. However, the mechanisms by which lung cancer and neutrophils in the microenvironment sustain PD-L1 expression and impart stronger inhibition of CD8+ T cell function remain unclear.MethodsWe investigated the role and underlying mechanism by which PD-L1+ lung cancer and PD-L1+ neutrophils impede the function of CD8+ T cells through magnetic bead cell sorting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, confocal immunofluorescence, gene silencing, flow cytometry, etc. In vivo efficacy and safety studies were conducted using (Non-obeseDiabetes/severe combined immune deficiency) SCID/NOD mice. Additionally, we collected clinical and prognostic data from 208 patients who underwent curative lung cancer resection between 2017 and 2018.ResultsWe demonstrated that C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CXCL5) is markedly overexpressed in lung cancer cells and is positively correlated with a poor prognosis in patients with lung cancer. Mechanistically, CXCL5 activates the phosphorylation of the Paxillin/AKT signaling cascade, leading to upregulation of PD-L1 expression and the formation of a positive feedback loop. Moreover, CXCL5 attracts neutrophils, compromising CD8+ T cell-dependent antitumor immunity. These PD-L1+ neutrophils aggravate CD8+ T cell exhaustion following lung cancer domestication. Combined treatment with anti-CXCL5 and anti-PD-L1 antibodies significantly inhibits tumor growth in vivo.ConclusionsOur findings collectively demonstrate that CXCL5 promotes immune escape through PD-L1 upregulation in lung cancer and neutrophils chemotaxis through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. CXCL5 may serve as a potential therapeutic target in synergy with ICBs in lung cancer immunotherapy.

How Fundamental Research on T cell Biology Started a Revolution in Cancer Therapy Development

In the dynamic landscape of cancer treatment, discovery-based research in T cell biology has proven transformative, ushering in revolutionary immunotherapies. This paper navigates the impact of fundamental research on cancer therapy, tracing its evolution from 19th-century trailblazers Wilhelm Busch and Friedrich Fehleisen to recent breakthroughs by James P. Allison. By understanding T cells, the immune system's superheroes, we can illuminate the pivotal role of selectively targeting and eliminating cancer cells with unprecedented precision. Advances such as checkpoint blockade antibodies have freed tumor-infiltrating T cells from inhibition, allowing them to kill tumor cells effectively. This was a revolutionary breakthrough. Historical insights, such as the discovery of immunocompetent recirculating lymphocytes and the function of the thymus, laid the groundwork for these advances. This ongoing dialogue on resource allocation recognizes foundational research as the cornerstone for innovative therapies, ensuring a sustainable pipeline of discoveries that shape the future of T cell cancer treatment.

Core-shell nanomedicine based on multifunctional tetrahedral DNA nanostructures for synergistic enhancement of tumor chemodynamic/chemo-immunotherapy

Immune checkpoint blockade therapy has made great strides in cancer treatment, but conventional immune checkpoint blockade antibodies often lead to overactivation of the immune system and severe immune-related adverse effects. Herein, we report the design of a nanomedicine (denoted as CPD@M−TDN) based on multifunctional tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (M−TDN). In this system, a bimetallic metal–organic framework (Cu/ZIF-8) is synthesized as the core; doxorubicin-loaded polydopamine acts as a shell to reduce the immunogenicity of the nanomaterials in peripheral blood. Finally, the CpG oligodeoxynucleotides and PD-L1 aptamer-based M−TDN are coupled to the core–shell structure nanomedicine through the biotin-avidin-system. Under the acidic tumor microenvironment, the decomposition of Cu/ZIF-8 and the release of copper ions and doxorubicin can lead to immunogenic death of tumor cells through chemodynamic/chemotherapy. Furthermore, the M−TDN has the dual effects of weakening the immunosuppressive microenvironment with PD-L1 aptamer and promoting dendritic cell activation with the immunostimulant CpG. Overall, the developed CPD@M−TDN can effectively enhance the response rate to immunotherapy and has excellent potential in the field of integrated tumor treatment.

Noncovalently particle-anchored cytokines with prolonged tumor retention safely elicit potent antitumor immunity.

Preclinical studies have shown that immunostimulatory cytokines elicit antitumor immune responses but their clinical use is limited by severe immune-related adverse events upon systemic administration. Here, we report a facile and versatile strategy for noncovalently anchoring potent Fc-fused cytokine molecules to the surface of size-discrete particles decorated with Fc-binding peptide for local administration. Following intratumoral injection, particle-anchored Fc cytokines exhibit size-dependent intratumoral retention. The 1-micrometer particle prolongs intratumoral retention of Fc cytokine for over a week and has minimal systemic exposure, thereby eliciting antitumor immunity while eliminating systemic toxicity caused by circulating cytokines. In addition, the combination of these particle-anchored cytokines with immune checkpoint blockade antibodies safely promotes tumor regression in various syngeneic tumor models and genetically engineered murine tumor models and elicits systemic antitumor immunity against tumor rechallenge. Our formulation strategy renders a safe and tumor-agnostic approach that uncouples cytokines' immunostimulatory properties from their systemic toxicities for potential clinical application.

Abstract 7174: Pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity of anti-PD-1 antibody in humanized FcRn mouse models compared to immunocompetent mouse models

Abstract Introduction: The development and use of therapeutic antibodies in cancer therapy has increased significantly in recent years, led by the success of approved immune checkpoint blockade antibodies targeting PD-1 and PD-L1 axis. However, obtaining more clinically relevant pharmacokinetics (PK), safety and efficacy data for antibodies is still challenging in preclinical phase. Humanized FcRn (hFcRn) transgenic mouse model has a more faithful catabolism compared to WT mice, providing more accurate and predictable PK data of innovative antibody-based therapeutics at discovery stage[1]. In this study, we sought to investigate pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity characteristics of anti-PD-1 antibody in hFcRn transgenic mice and provide guidance for its differentiation of prediction value for drug PK and safety by comparing to WT mice. Methods: Non-tumor bearing hFcRn mice and wild type C57BL/6 mice were divided into 2 groups, 5 mice were enrolled into each group. Mice were administered anti-PD-1(Nivolumab) at 10 mg/kg single dose after grouping by intravenous (IV) injection. Blood samples at 12 timepoints (15min, 6h, 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 days) post-dosing were collected for PK and Anti-Drug Antibody (ADA) analysis by MSD and ELISA. Results: Nivolumab clearance in hFcRn mice followed a typical linear profile with rapid distribution phase and slow elimination phase (t1/2 = 350 to 400 h). While the PK profile in C57BL/6 mice displayed non-linear clearance and very short elimination phase (t1/2 = 45 to 50 h). This data demonstrated that hFcRn mice have better correlated half-life with human (Nivolumab single dose by IV with 10mg/kg, t1/2 = 595 h) [2]. ADA analysis revealed that it was produced starting from Day 10 in wild type C57BL/6 mice and the frequency of ADA induced by Nivolumab in wild type mice (2/5) was higher than hFcRn mice (0/5). The variation of Nivolumab level was correlated with ADA production in wild type mice. This suggested hFcRn shows lower immunogenicity than wild type mice for human IgG drug and can potentially improve negative effect of ADA interference on PK evaluation. Conclusion: The result of this study demonstrated that the PK data in hFcRn mouse model was more predictive of human PK profile compared to wild type C57BL/6 mice. This advances innovation in antibody-based therapeutics and translational applications, with improved PK, safety and efficacy evaluation for preclinical human IgG drug development in cancer therapy.

A redox-responsive prodrug for tumor-targeted glutamine restriction

Modulating the metabolism of cancer cells, immune cells, or both is a promising strategy to potentiate cancer immunotherapy in the nutrient-competitive tumor microenvironment. Glutamine has emerged as an ideal target as cancer cells highly rely on glutamine for replenishing the tricarboxylic acid cycle in the process of aerobic glycolysis. However, non-specific glutamine restriction may induce adverse effects in unconcerned tissues and therefore glutamine inhibitors have achieved limited success in the clinic so far. Here we report the synthesis and evaluation of a redox-responsive prodrug of 6-Diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (redox-DON) for tumor-targeted glutamine inhibition. When applied to treat mice bearing subcutaneous CT26 mouse colon carcinoma, redox-DON exhibited equivalent antitumor efficacy but a greatly improved safety profile, particularly, in spleen and gastrointestinal tract, as compared to the state-of-the-art DON prodrug, JHU083. Furthermore, redox-DON synergized with checkpoint blockade antibodies leading to durable cures in tumor-bearing mice. Our results suggest that redox-DON is a safe and effective therapeutic for tumor-targeted glutamine inhibition showing promise for enhanced metabolic modulatory immunotherapy. The approach of reversible chemical modification may be generalized to other metabolic modulatory drugs that suffer from overt toxicity.

Non-invasive transdermal delivery of biomacromolecules with fluorocarbon-modified chitosan for melanoma immunotherapy and viral vaccines

Transdermal drug delivery has been regarded as an alternative to oral delivery and subcutaneous injection. However, needleless transdermal delivery of biomacromolecules remains a challenge. Herein, a transdermal delivery platform based on biocompatible fluorocarbon modified chitosan (FCS) is developed to achieve highly efficient non-invasive delivery of biomacromolecules including antibodies and antigens. The formed nanocomplexes exhibits effective transdermal penetration ability via both intercellular and transappendageal routes. Non-invasive transdermal delivery of immune checkpoint blockade antibodies induces stronger immune responses for melanoma in female mice and reduces systemic toxicity compared to intravenous injection. Moreover, transdermal delivery of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in female mice results in comparable humoral immunity as well as improved cellular immunity and immune memory compared to that achieved with subcutaneous vaccine injection. Additionally, FCS-based protein delivery systems demonstrate transdermal ability for rabbit and porcine skins. Thus, FCS-based transdermal delivery systems may provide a compelling opportunity to overcome the skin barrier for efficient transdermal delivery of bio-therapeutics.

CAR-T lymphocyte-based cell therapies; mechanistic substantiation, applications and biosafety enhancement with suicide genes: new opportunities to melt side effects.

Immunotherapy has made significant strides in cancer treatment with strategies like checkpoint blockade antibodies and adoptive T cell transfer. Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) have emerged as a promising approach to combine these strategies and overcome their limitations. This review explores CAR-T cells as a living drug for cancer treatment. CAR-T cells are genetically engineered immune cells designed to target and eliminate tumor cells by recognizing specific antigens. The study involves a comprehensive literature review on CAR-T cell technology, covering structure optimization, generations, manufacturing processes, and gene therapy strategies. It examines CAR-T therapy in haematologic cancers and solid tumors, highlighting challenges and proposing a suicide gene-based mechanism to enhance safety. The results show significant advancements in CAR-T technology, particularly in structure optimization and generation. The manufacturing process has improved for broader clinical application. However, a series of inherent challenges and side effects still need to be addressed. In conclusion, CAR-T cells hold great promise for cancer treatment, but ongoing research is crucial to improve efficacy and safety for oncology patients. The proposed suicide gene-based mechanism offers a potential solution to mitigate side effects including cytokine release syndrome (the most common toxic side effect of CAR-T therapy) and the associated neurotoxicity.

Gene-activating nanomedicine for the tumor-oriented infiltration of T cells to enhance immunotherapy against solid tumors

The insufficient infiltration of T cells in solid tumors hinders the therapeutic efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells. Promoting T or CAR-T cells to efficiently and specifically migrate into solid tumors is critical for improving current immunotherapies, which remains a challenge. Herein, we proposed a CRISPR-based transcriptional activation (CRISPRa) nanomedicine for mobilizing tumor cells to recruit T cells by activating the expression of T cell chemokines CXC-chemokine ligand (CXCL) 9, CXCL10, and CXCL11. We demonstrated that the CRISPRa nanomedicine could dramatically upregulate the expression of these T cell chemokines in tumor cells, thereby facilitating T cell migration directionally into solid tumors. Intratumoral injection of the CRISPRa nanomedicine inhibited the growth of different solid tumors including melanoma, pancreatic, colonic, and breast cancers. Moreover, tumor-specific versions of the CRISPRa nanomedicine possessing the ability to upregulate the T cell chemokine expression only in tumors rather than normal tissues or cells were constructed. Systemic injection of the tumor-specific CRISPRa nanomedicine specifically recruited T or CAR-T cells into solid tumors and improved the therapeutic effects of ICB antibodies (anti-PD-L1 or anti-CTLA4) and CAR-T cells. Thus, the gene-activating nanomedicine provides a promising strategy for enhancing T cell infiltration to improve current immunotherapies against solid tumors.

Tumor acidity-activatable macromolecule autophagy inhibitor and immune checkpoint blockade for robust treatment of prostate cancer.

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) antibody such as anti-PD-L1 (aPD-L1) activates cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) to combat cancer, but they showed poor efficacy in prostate cancer (PCa). Lysosome-dependent autophagy is utilized by cancer cells to degrade their MHC-I and to lower their vulnerability to TNF-α and CTLs. Lysosomal pH-sensitive polymeric nanoparticle as a drug delivery carrier may also be a novel autophagy inhibitor to boost immunotherapy, but such an important effect has not been investigated. Herein, we developed a unique tumor acidity-activatable macromolecular nanodrug (called P-PDL1-CP) with the poly(2-diisopropylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDPA) core and the conjugations of both aPD-L1 and long-chain polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating. The PDPA core was demonstrated to disturb lysosome to block the autophagic flux, thus elevating the cancer cell's MHC-I expression and vulnerability to the TNF-α and CTLs. Long-chain PEG facilitated a good tumor accumulation of P-PDL1-CP nanodrug. Furthermore, P-PDL1-CP nanodrug inhibited tumor autophagy, which synergized with aPD-L1 to promote the tumor-infiltrating CTLs and DCs maturation, to elevate intratumoral TNF-α and IFN-γ levels, and to elicit an anti-tumor immune memory effect in mice for PCa growth inhibition with low side effects. This study verified the synergistic anti-PCa treatment between autophagy inhibition and PD-L1 blockade and meantime broadened the application of pH-sensitive macromolecular nanodrug. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: A macromolecular nanodrug, comprising the PDPA core and the surface conjugation of both aPD-L1 antibodies and long-chain PEG coating via a tumor acidity-labile α-carboxy-dimethylmaleic anhydride amine bond, was developed. Tumoral acidity triggered the release of aPD-L1 for immunotherapy. Meantime, the charge switch of the remanent nanodrug enhanced the cancer cell uptake of PDPA, which disturbed the lysosomes to inhibit autophagy. This advanced nanodrug promoted the tumor-infiltrating CTLs and DCs maturation, elevated the intratumoral TNF-α and IFN-γ levels, and elicited the robust anti-tumor immune memory effect. This study demonstrated that the pH-sensitive PDPA macromolecule could serve as a carrier for the aPD-L1 delivery and as an efficient autophagy inhibitor to boost the immunotherapy of prostate cancer.

BSBM-03 A NOVEL COMBINED IMMUNOTHERAPY TO IMPROVE THERAPEUTIC RESPONSES IN SYMPTOMATIC BRAIN METASTASIS BASED ON TARGETING A SUBPOPULATION OF IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE ASTROCYTES

Abstract The diagnosis of brain metastasis involves high morbidity and mortality. Recently, immune checkpoint blockade antibodies (ICB) have shown clinical benefits mainly when applied to asymptomatic brain metastasis patients. However, variability is broad and responses to this therapy drop considerably when treating clinically relevant disease. Although potentially involved in the lack of response to immunotherapy, corticoids do not seem to fully explain this situation. Thus, it is currently unknown how to effectively target symptomatic brain metastases with immunotherapy. We previously reported a clinically relevant protumoral program driven by STAT3 activation in a subpopulation of reactive astrocytes during advanced stages of the disease. By further exploiting astrocyte heterogeneity, we have found a potential strategy to improve the number of responders to immunotherapy in symptomatic brain metastasis. Specifically, we have developed a comprehensive strategy including genetic and pharmacologic approaches to define a novel immunosuppressive axis involving astrocyte-secreted TIMP1 signaling on CD63+ CD8+ T cells. Based on these findings, we developed a combined immunotherapy to boost the systemic activation of T cells with ICB while blocking local TIMP1-dependent immunosuppression in various preclinical models. Furthermore, the detection of TIMP1 in the CSF provides a biomarker to select patients who would benefit the most from the combined immunotherapy. Even more, our data using Patient Derived Organotypic Cultures from fresh brain metastasis neurosurgeries confirmed that our therapeutic strategy is valid for symptomatic brain metastases from any primary source. In conclusion, our study has identified a novel combined immunotherapy that could be especially relevant for symptomatic brain metastases. Our findings have emerged from a strong scientific rationale whereby a specific subpopulation of astrocytes is shown to activate the local immunosuppressive environment for brain-infiltrating CD8+ T cells.

Improving cancer immunotherapy via co-delivering checkpoint blockade and thrombospondin-1 downregulator.

The use of checkpoint-blockade antibodies is still restricted in several malignancies due to the modest efficacy, despite considerable success in anti-tumor immunotherapy. The poor response of cancer cells to immune destruction is an essential contributor to the failure of checkpoint therapy. We hypothesized that combining checkpoint therapy with natural-product chemosensitizer could enhance immune response. Herein, a targeted diterpenoid derivative was integrated with the checkpoint blockade (anti-CTLA-4) to improve immunotherapy using thermosensitive liposomes as carriers. Invivo, the liposomes enabled the co-delivery of the two drug payloads into the tumor. Consequently, the regulatory T cell proliferation was restrained, the cytotoxic T cell infiltration was enhanced, and the profound immunotherapeutic effect was achieved. In addition, the immunotherapeutic effect of another clinically used checkpoint antibody, anti-PD-1, also benefited from the diterpenoid derivative. Of note, our mechanism study revealed that the targeted diterpenoid derivative increased the sensitivity of cancer cells to immune attack via THBS1 downregulation and the resultant destruction of THBS1-CD47 interaction. Collectively, co-delivering THBS1 inhibitor and checkpoint blockade is promising to boost cancer immunotherapy. We first time discovered that THBS1 suppression could strengthen checkpoint therapy.

Immunotherapy for Recurrent Glioma-From Bench to Bedside.

Glioma is the most aggressive malignant tumor of the central nervous system, and most patients suffer from a recurrence. Unfortunately, recurrent glioma often becomes resistant to established chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. Immunotherapy, a rapidly developing anti-tumor therapy, has shown a potential value in treating recurrent glioma. Multiple immune strategies have been explored. The most-used ones are immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) antibodies, which are barely effective in monotherapy. However, when combined with other immunotherapy, especially with anti-angiogenesis antibodies, ICB has shown encouraging efficacy and enhanced anti-tumor immune response. Oncolytic viruses and CAR-T therapies have shown promising results in recurrent glioma through multiple mechanisms. Vaccination strategies and immune-cell-based immunotherapies are promising in some subgroups of patients, and multiple new tumor antigenic targets have been discovered. In this review, we discuss current applicable immunotherapies and related mechanisms for recurrent glioma, focusing on multiple preclinical models and clinical trials in the last 5 years. Through reviewing the current combination of immune strategies, we would like to provide substantive thoughts for further novel therapeutic regimes treating recurrent glioma.

Design of Mitoxantrone‐Loaded Biomimetic Nanocarrier with Sequential Photothermal/Photodynamic/Chemotherapy Effect for Synergized Immunotherapy

AbstractMetastatic triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a poor prognosis and high mortality with no effective treatment options, and immunotherapy is highly anticipated as a potential treatment but is limited by the lack of tumor‐infiltrating T lymphocytes in TNBC. Herein, red blood cell (RBC) membrane‐camouflaged polyphosphoester (PPE) nanoparticles (RBC@PPEMTO/PFA) are prepared as the nanocarriers of mitoxantrone (MTO) and perfluoroalkane (PFA) for synergized immunotherapy. The encapsulated MTO can generate heat and reactive oxygen species (ROS) to achieve photothermal and photodynamic therapy; moreover, ROS further triggers the self‐accelerating release of MTO from the ROS‐sensitive PPE core to enable chemotherapy. The RBC@PPEMTO/PFA‐mediated sequential photothermal/photodynamic/chemotherapy efficiently promotes the infiltration of CD8+ T cells into TNBC tumor tissue and synergizes the therapeutic activity of an immune checkpoint blockade antibody for metastatic TNBC treatment in distant and lung metastasis models. This biomimetic nanomedicine of MTO provides a convenient and available strategy to sensitize TNBC to immune checkpoint blockade antibody.

A non-drug chemotherapy-like synergizes with gas-/immunotherapy based on cancer cell membrane camouflage-functionalized nanoplatform

Traditional drug chemotherapy reveals numerous unsatisfactory aspects for malignant tumors that is prone to recurrence and metastasis, such as low therapy effect, systemic side effects, and multidrug resistance. Based on the above considerations, we herein propose a non-drug chemotherapy-like in synergy with gas-/immunotherapy strategy based on tumor cell membrane (M) coating Ferulic acid (FA)-L-Arg-ovalbumin (OVA) nanoparticles (F-L-O@M NPs). It is found that the non-drug of FA can efficiently induce cancer cell apoptosis via the Janus kinases/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK/STAT3) signal pathway. Moreover, the generation of NO gas ascribed to the oxidation of L-Arg by H2O2, not only restricts the respiratory metabolism of mitochondria and reduces the generation of ATP, but also downregulates the expression of P-gp protein, exhibiting a superior synergistic with FA-mediated antineoplastic. More importantly, NO gas augments FA-induced tumor cell apoptosis and efficiently release tumor-associated antigens, which in synergy with OVA enables significant activation and recruits cytotoxic T lymphocytes to infiltrate in tumor tissues, further combining with immune checkpoint blockade antibody to trigger a long-term immune memory response, as well as anti-metastasis/recurrence. It is highly expected that such a non-drug chemotherapy-like strategy that combines with gas-/immunotherapy showing great promising in the clinical translational potential of nanomedicine.

Development of a novel modified vaccine (TheraVacM) for curative treatment of mouse solid tumors

Monotherapy with immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) antibodies (anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD1/PDL-1) is only effective for 20% to 30% of patients with certain cancers. Patients with cancers harboring few effector T cells (Teffs) are insensitive to ICB therapy. The lack of tumor-specific Teffs is predominantly caused by the paralysis of tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells (TiDCs) resulting from immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. We have identified a potent combination of high mobility group nucleosome binding domain 1 (HMGN1, N1) and fibroblast stimulating lipopeptide-1 (FSL-1) that can synergistically trigger maturation of both mouse and human DCs. Accordingly, we designed a combinational anti-cancer immunotherapy with two arms: an immune-activating arm consisting of N1 and FSL-1 to stimulate the generation of Teffs by triggering full maturation of TiDCs, and an ICB arm using anti-PDL-1 or anti-CTLA4 to prevent Teffs from being silenced in the tumor tissue. This combinational immunotherapeutic vaccination regimen dubbed modified TheraVac (TheraVacM) has proved particularly effective as it cured 100% of mice bearing established ectopic CT26 colon and RENCA kidney tumors. The resultant tumor-free mice were resistant to subsequent re-challenge with the same tumors, indicating the generation of long-term tumor specific protective immunity. Since the immune-activating arm also induces full maturation of human DCs, and anti-PDL-1 or anti-CTLA4 have been FDA-approved, this combinational immunotherapy has the potential to be an effective clinical therapy for patients with solid tumors.

What did the T cell see? A deep-learning model of CD8+ T cell activation reveals sharp antigen discrimination at the single cell level

Abstract Immunotherapies such as checkpoint blockade antibodies to block T cell exhaustion have been successful in several cancers such as non-small cell lung cancer and melanoma, but limited in others (e.g., pancreatic or prostate carcinomas) owing to differences in tumor antigenicity. Therefore, quantifying tumor antigenicity is critical for successful immunotherapies. Our lab has shown that antigenicity can be encoded in a single parameter derived from bulk cytokine dynamics in ex vivo co-cultures between antigen presenting cells (APCs) and T cells. Here we built a model that can capture the antigenicity seen by individual cells. Using a custom robotic platform, we generated high-throughput kinetics of T cell activation in co-culture with APCs by analyzing cells at various timepoints across a large set of activation conditions. We performed spectral flow cytometry to measure the expression of up to 30 surface markers and intracellular signals per cell. To analyze our content-rich datasets, we designed a machine learning-based model that can classify the antigen seen by an individual cell using expression values from flow cytometry. The model performs well not only at classifying T cells (ROC-AUC > 0.91), but also APCs (ROC-AUC > 0.88), suggesting that each individual leukocyte may register the quality of antigen being presented. Blocking cytokine signaling disrupted this antigen classification. Our study demonstrates that every individual lymphocyte can bridge local and global response to achieve high discriminatory power of antigens.

Sustained release hydrogel for durable locoregional chemoimmunotherapy for BRAF-mutated melanoma

The wide prevalence of BRAF mutations in diagnosed melanomas drove the clinical advancement of BRAF inhibitors in combination with immune checkpoint blockade for treatment of advanced disease. However, deficits in therapeutic potencies and safety profiles motivate the development of more effective strategies that improve the combination therapy's therapeutic index. Herein, we demonstrate the benefits of a locoregional chemoimmunotherapy delivery system, a novel thermosensitive hydrogel comprised of gelatin and Pluronic® F127 components already widely used in humans in both commercial and clinical products, for the co-delivery of a small molecule BRAF inhibitor with immune checkpoint blockade antibody for the treatment of BRAF-mutated melanoma. In vivo evaluation of administration route and immune checkpoint target effects revealed intratumoral administration of antagonistic programmed cell death protein 1 antibody (aPD-1) lead to potent antitumor therapy in combination with BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib. The thermosensitive F127-g-Gelatin hydrogel that was evaluated in multiple murine models of BRAF-mutated melanoma that facilitated prolonged local drug release within the tumor (>1 week) substantially improved local immunomodulation, tumor control, rates of tumor response, and animal survival. Thermosensitive F127-g-Gelatin hydrogels thus improve upon the clinical benefits of vemurafenib and aPD-1 in a locoregional chemoimmunotherapy approach for the treatment of BRAF-mutated melanoma.