Cyclophosphamide synergizes with type I interferons through systemic dendritic cell reactivation and induction of immunogenic tumor apoptosis

Cancer Res. 2011 Feb 1;71(3):768-78. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-10-2788. Epub 2010 Dec 13.

Abstract

Successful chemotherapy accounts for both tumor-related factors and host immune response. Compelling evidence suggests that some chemotherapeutic agents can induce an immunogenic type of cell death stimulating tumor-specific immunity. Here, we show that cyclophosphamide (CTX) exerts two types of actions relevant for the induction of antitumor immunity in vivo: (i) effect on dendritic cell (DC) homeostasis, mediated by endogenous type I interferons (IFN-I), leading to the preferential expansion of CD8α(+) DC, the main subset involved in the cross-presentation of cell-derived antigens; and (ii) induction of tumor cell death with clear-cut immunogenic features capable of stimulating tumor infiltration, engulfment of tumor apoptotic material, and CD8 T-cell cross-priming by CD8α(+) DC. Notably, the antitumor effects of CTX were efficiently amplified by IFN-I, the former providing a source of antigen and a "resetting" of the DC compartment and the latter supplying optimal costimulation for T-cell cross-priming, resulting in the induction of a strong antitumor response and tumor rejection. These results disclose new perspectives for the development of targeted and more effective chemoimmunotherapy treatments of cancer patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / immunology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / drug effects
  • Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cyclophosphamide / pharmacology*
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Drug Synergism
  • Interferon Type I / immunology
  • Interferon Type I / pharmacology*
  • Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma / immunology
  • Melanoma, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Melanoma, Experimental / immunology
  • Mice
  • Thymoma / drug therapy
  • Thymoma / immunology

Substances

  • Interferon Type I
  • Cyclophosphamide