Reversal of tumoral immune resistance by inhibition of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Feb 14;109(7):2497-502. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1113873109. Epub 2012 Jan 30.

Abstract

Tryptophan catabolism mediated by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) is an important mechanism of peripheral immune tolerance contributing to tumoral immune resistance, and IDO1 inhibition is an active area of drug development. Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) is an unrelated hepatic enzyme that also degrades tryptophan along the kynurenine pathway. Here, we show that enzymatically active TDO is expressed in a significant proportion of human tumors. In a preclinical model, TDO expression by tumors prevented their rejection by immunized mice. We developed a TDO inhibitor, which, upon systemic treatment, restored the ability of mice to reject TDO-expressing tumors. Our results describe a mechanism of tumoral immune resistance based on TDO expression and establish proof-of-concept for the use of TDO inhibitors in cancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Tryptophan Oxygenase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Tryptophan Oxygenase / metabolism

Substances

  • Tryptophan Oxygenase