Decreased NK-cell tumour immunosurveillance consequent to JAK inhibition enhances metastasis in breast cancer models

Nat Commun. 2016 Jul 13:7:12258. doi: 10.1038/ncomms12258.

Abstract

The JAK/STAT pathway is an attractive target for breast cancer therapy due to its frequent activation, and clinical trials evaluating JAK inhibitors (JAKi) in advanced breast cancer are ongoing. Using patient biopsies and preclinical models of breast cancer, we demonstrate that the JAK/STAT pathway is active in metastasis. Unexpectedly, blocking the pathway with JAKi enhances the metastatic burden in experimental and orthotopic models of breast cancer metastasis. We demonstrate that this prometastatic effect is due to the immunosuppressive activity of JAKi with ensuing impairment of NK-cell-mediated anti-tumour immunity. Furthermore, we show that immunostimulation with IL-15 overcomes the enhancing effect of JAKi on metastasis formation. Our findings highlight the importance of evaluating the effect of targeted therapy on the tumour environment. The impact of JAKi on NK cells and the potential value of immunostimulators to overcome the weakened tumour immunosurveillance, are worthwhile considering in the clinical setting of breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / drug effects
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Surveillance* / drug effects
  • Immunomodulation / drug effects
  • Interleukin-15 / pharmacology
  • Janus Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Janus Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Janus Kinases / metabolism
  • Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological*
  • STAT Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-15
  • Janus Kinase Inhibitors
  • STAT Transcription Factors
  • Janus Kinases