Ctla-4 blockade plus adoptive T-cell transfer promotes optimal melanoma immunity in mice

J Immunother. 2015 Feb-Mar;38(2):54-61. doi: 10.1097/CJI.0000000000000064.

Abstract

Immunotherapeutic approaches to the treatment of advanced melanoma have relied on strategies that augment the responsiveness of endogenous tumor-specific T-cell populations [eg, cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) blockade-mediated checkpoint inhibition] or introduce exogenously prepared tumor-specific T-cell populations [eg, adoptive cell transfer (ACT)]. Although both approaches have shown considerable promise, response rates to these therapies remain suboptimal. We hypothesized that a combinatorial approach to immunotherapy using both CTLA-4 blockade and nonlymphodepletional ACT could offer additive therapeutic benefit. C57BL/6 mice were inoculated with syngeneic B16F10 melanoma tumors transfected to express low levels of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus peptide GP33 (B16GP33), and treated with no immunotherapy, CTLA-4 blockade, ACT, or combination immunotherapy of CTLA-4 blockade with ACT. Combination immunotherapy resulted in optimal control of B16GP33 melanoma tumors. Combination immunotherapy promoted a stronger local immune response reflected by enhanced tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte populations, and a stronger systemic immune responses reflected by more potent tumor antigen-specific T-cell activity in splenocytes. In addition, whereas both CTLA-4 blockade and combination immunotherapy were able to promote long-term immunity against B16GP33 tumors, only combination immunotherapy was capable of promoting immunity against parental B16F10 tumors as well. Our findings suggest that a combinatorial approach using CTLA-4 blockade with nonlymphodepletional ACT may promote additive endogenous and exogenous T-cell activities that enable greater therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of melanoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antigens, Viral / genetics
  • Antigens, Viral / metabolism
  • CTLA-4 Antigen / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • CTLA-4 Antigen / immunology
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Immunity, Humoral
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive*
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / immunology*
  • Melanoma, Experimental / genetics
  • Melanoma, Experimental / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Peptide Fragments / genetics
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Transgenes / genetics
  • Tumor Burden
  • Viral Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Viral
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • Glycoproteins
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Viral Proteins
  • glycoprotein peptide 33-41, Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus