CXCR2 Inhibition Profoundly Suppresses Metastases and Augments Immunotherapy in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Cancer Cell. 2016 Jun 13;29(6):832-845. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2016.04.014. Epub 2016 Jun 2.

Abstract

CXCR2 has been suggested to have both tumor-promoting and tumor-suppressive properties. Here we show that CXCR2 signaling is upregulated in human pancreatic cancer, predominantly in neutrophil/myeloid-derived suppressor cells, but rarely in tumor cells. Genetic ablation or inhibition of CXCR2 abrogated metastasis, but only inhibition slowed tumorigenesis. Depletion of neutrophils/myeloid-derived suppressor cells also suppressed metastasis suggesting a key role for CXCR2 in establishing and maintaining the metastatic niche. Importantly, loss or inhibition of CXCR2 improved T cell entry, and combined inhibition of CXCR2 and PD1 in mice with established disease significantly extended survival. We show that CXCR2 signaling in the myeloid compartment can promote pancreatic tumorigenesis and is required for pancreatic cancer metastasis, making it an excellent therapeutic target.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Deoxycytidine / administration & dosage
  • Deoxycytidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Deoxycytidine / pharmacology
  • Gemcitabine
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8B / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8B / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Small Molecule Libraries / administration & dosage
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacology
  • Survival Analysis
  • Up-Regulation
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Receptors, Interleukin-8B
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Deoxycytidine
  • atezolizumab
  • Gemcitabine