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The occurrence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) after immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is unpredictable. Profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) represent the host immune system and have the potential to predict irAEs. We analyzed PBMC subsets using multicolor flow cytometry before and at weeks 2 and 8 after the start of ICIs in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Sixteen eligible patients were evaluated. The irAEs occurred in 6 patients (37.5%): diarrhea in 2, diarrhea and a rash in 1, pituitary dysfunction in 1, cholangitis in 1, and pneumonitis in 1. Patients experiencing irAEs had higher levels of CD86(+)plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) at the baseline and weeks 2 and 8 after the ICIs than those not experiencing irAEs (p = 0.005, 0.038, and 0.050, respectively). In patients experiencing irAEs, the levels of CD86(+)pDCs significantly decreased at weeks 2 and 8 compared to the baseline (p = 0 .034 and 0.025, respectively) but did not change in those not experiencing irAEs. The levels of other PBMC subsets were not significantly associated with irAEs. Higher levels of natural killer (NK) cells were significantly associated with an overall objective response (p = 0.024). In conclusion, higher levels of CD86(+)pDCs at the baseline and a reduction in those levels 2 and 8 weeks after ICIs were associated with the occurrence of irAEs. Higher levels of NK cells were associated with an objective response to ICIs. Evaluation of PBMCs may help to predict the efficacy and safety of ICIs.

Resistance to immune-checkpoint blockade remains challenging in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tumor-infiltrating leukocyte (TIL) quantity, composition, and activation status profoundly influence responsiveness to cancer immunotherapy. This study examined the immune landscape in the NSCLC tumor microenvironment by analyzing TIL profiles of 281 fresh resected NSCLC tissues. Unsupervised clustering based on numbers and percentages of 30 TIL types classified adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and squamous cell carcinoma (LUSQ) into the cold-, myeloid cell-, and CD8+ T cell-dominant subtypes. These were significantly correlated with patient prognosis; the myeloid cell subtype had worse outcomes than the others. Integrated genomic and transcriptomic analyses, including RNA sequencing, whole-exome sequencing, T cell receptor repertoire, and metabolomics of tumor tissue, revealed that immune reaction-related signaling pathways were inactivated, while the glycolysis and K-ras signaling pathways activated in LUAD and LUSQ myeloid cell-subtypes. Cases with ALK and ROS1 fusion genes were enriched in the LUAD myeloid subtype, and the frequency of TERT copy number variations was higher in LUSQ myeloid subtype than in the others. These classifications of NSCLC based on TIL status may be useful for developing personalized immune therapies for NSCLC.

Imatinib mesylate is a potent tyrosine kinase inhibitor that may induce immunological effects, such as inhibition of immune suppressive cells; but, how it modulates the immune system remains to be completely elucidated. In this study, we showed that cell proliferation of CT26 colon cancer and Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL) lung cancer cells was not inhibited by imatinib in vitro, although its administration significantly suppressed the growth of CT26, but not 3LL, subcutaneous tumors, and prolonged survival in CT26 tumor-bearing mice. Further, we examined the expression of immune cell-related molecules in the tumors to elucidate the differences in imatinib-mediated antitumor effects between CT26 and 3LL tumors. The nCounter assay showed that the expression of CD8 and CD8

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) pathway modulates the immune system in response to kynurenine, an endogenous tryptophan metabolite. IDO1 and TDO2 catalyze kynurenine production, which promotes cancer progression by compromising host immunosurveillance. However, it is unclear whether the AHR activation regulates the malignant traits of cancer such as metastatic capability or cancer stemness. Here, we carried out systematic analyses of metabolites in patient‐derived colorectal cancer spheroids and identified high levels of kynurenine and TDO2 that were positively associated with liver metastasis. In a mouse colon cancer model, TDO2 expression substantially enhanced liver metastasis, induced AHR‐mediated PD‐L1 transactivation, and dampened immune responses; these changes were all abolished by PD‐L1 knockout. In patient‐derived cancer spheroids, TDO2 or AHR activity was required for not only the expression of PD‐L1, but also for cancer stem cell (CSC)‐related characteristics and Wnt signaling. TDO2 was coexpressed with both PD‐L1 and nuclear β‐catenin in colon xenograft tumors, and the coexpression of TDO2 and PD‐L1 was observed in clinical colon cancer specimens. Thus, our data indicate that the activation of the TDO2‐kynurenine‐AHR pathway facilitates liver metastasis of colon cancer via PD‐L1–mediated immune evasion and maintenance of stemness., We carried out systematic analyses of metabolites in patient‐derived colorectal cancer spheroids, and identified high levels of kynurenine and TDO2 that were positively associated with liver metastasis. Our data indicate that the activation of the TDO2‐kynurenine‐AHR pathway may lead to emergence of immune‐evasive cancer stem cells (CSCs) promoting liver metastasis.

Background: The immune-related adverse events (irAEs) is unpredictable. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) profiles have potential for predicting irAEs. Methods: PBMCs were measured using multicolor flow cytometry before and at weeks 2 and 8 after the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in lung cancere patients. Results: Sixteen patients were eligible for the analysis. The irAEs occurred in 6 (37.5%) patients. Patients with irAEs demonstrated higher levels of CD86+plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) at baseline and weeks 2 and 8 after the ICIs than patients without irAEs (p = 0.005, 0.038, and 0.050, respectively). Higher levels of natural killer (NK) cells were significantly associated with overall objective response (p = 0.024). Conclusions: Higher levels of CD86+pDCs at baseline and the reduction at 2 and 8 weeks after the ICIs were associated with the occurrence of irAEs. Higher levels of NK cells were associated with therapeutic efficacy. Measurements of PBMCs may be useful for predicting the efficacy and safety of ICIs.

Background: The occurrence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) after immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is unpredictable. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) profiles, representing host immune status, have potential for predicting irAEs. Methods: PBMC subsets were measured using multicolor flow cytometry before and at weeks 2 and 8 after the initiation of ICIs in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Results: Sixteen evaluable patients were eligible for the analysis. The following irAEs occurred in 6 (37.5%) patients: diarrhea (n = 2), diarrhea and rash (n = 1), pneumonitis (n = 1), pituitary dysfunction (n = 1), and cholangitis (n = 1). Patients with irAEs demonstrated higher levels of CD86+plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) at baseline and weeks 2 and 8 after the ICIs than patients without irAEs (p = 0.005, 0.038, and 0.050, respectively). In patients with irAEs, the levels of CD86+pDCs decreased at weeks 2 and 8 compared with baseline (p =0 .034 and 0.025, respectively) but did not change in patients without irAEs. Other PBMC subsets had no significant associations with irAEs. Higher levels of natural killer (NK) cells were significantly associated with overall objective response (p = 0.024). Conclusions: Higher levels of CD86+pDCs at baseline and the reduction at 2 and 8 weeks after the ICIs were associated with the occurrence of irAEs. Higher levels of NK cells were associated with therapeutic efficacy. Measurements of PBMCs may be useful for predicting the efficacy and safety of ICIs.

One of the standard treatments of resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery. Nivolumab showed efficacy for metastatic ESCC. However, the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant nivolumab with chemotherapy for ESCC is unknown. Therefore, we will conduct FRONTiER to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nivolumab adding to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. FRONTiER comprises four experimental cohorts: (A) including nivolumab plus 5-FU+CDDP (cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil [CF]); (B) including one prior administration of nivolumab and the cohort A regimen; (C) including nivolumab plus docetaxel+ CF; (D) including one prior administration of nivolumab and the cohort C regimen; an expanded cohort. The primary end point is the incidence of dose-limiting toxicities from the initial dose to the 30th postoperative day. Clinical Trial Identifier: NCT03914443

An anti-glucocorticoid induced TNF receptor (GITR) agonistic antibody (Ab) induces an antitumor immunity with both stimulation of effector T cells and inhibition of regulatory T cell activity. To enhance GITR Ab-mediated tumor immunity, we focused on the intratumoral route, since a tumor-localized high concentration of Ab would confer activation of only tumor-infiltrating T cells. First, in a murine colon cancer model, we showed that the intratumoral delivery of Ab significantly increased the number of effector T cells infiltrated into tumors, and suppressed tumor growth more effectively than the intraperitoneal and intravenous injections did. Then, we found that the injection of Ab into the peritumoral area induced a systemic antitumor immunity at a similar level to the intratumoral injection. Therefore, we hypothesized that the transfer of locally administrated Ab into tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) plays an important role in inducing an effective immunity. In fact, intratumorally or peritumorally injected Ab was detected in TDLNs, and resection of Ab-injected TDLNs significantly reduced GITR Ab-mediated systemic tumor immunity. Intratumoral injection showed less number of auto-reactive T cells in the spleen than the intraperitoneal injection did. Intratumoral delivery of GITR Ab is a promising approach to induce an effective immunity compared to the systemic delivery.

The lymphopenic condition following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) enhances the proliferation of T cells by engaging tumor-associated antigens, leading to the alteration of the T-cell repertoire towards antitumor immunity. However, cure by autologous HSCT alone have rarely occurred in the clinical setting. Since tumor-reactive lymphocytes preferentially proliferate during reconstitution of the immune system, we examined whether the priming of donor lymphocytes can strengthen the antitumor effect by HSCT in a CT26 murine colon cancer model. The systemic administration of an anti-glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor (GITR) agonistic antibody (Ab) significantly increased the number of CT26-responsive T cells but not that of auto-reactive lymphocytes in donor mice. The infusion of non-primed and GITR Ab-primed donor lymphocytes suppressed the CT26 tumor growth, and only the primed lymphocytes eliminated tumors in all the treated mice. The frequency of CT26-responsive T cells was elevated in recipient mice infused with both primed and non-primed lymphocytes until 4 weeks after transplantation, while the frequency in recipients with primed lymphocytes was markedly elevated compared with that in mice harboring non-primed lymphocytes at 2 weeks. The frequencies of regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells were elevated in recipient mice infused with primed and non-primed lymphocytes 2 weeks after transplantation, and returned to normal levels by week 4. The combination of autologous HSCT with pre-immunization of donor lymphocytes is a promising strategy to induce strong antitumor immunity.

Lymphopenia-induced homeostatic proliferation (HP) of T cells following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) skews the T-cell repertoire by engaging tumor-associated antigens, and induces an antitumor immunity. However, the cure by autologous HSCT alone is difficult in case of solid cancers. Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR) is well-known immune-checkpoint molecules. GITR-GITR ligand interaction can provide a co-stimulatory signal to both CD4+ and CD8+ naïve T cells, enhancing proliferation and effector function. Since the tumor-reactive lymphocytes preferentially proliferate during the condition of HP, due to the synergic effect with encountering their cognate antigens in tumor-bearing host, we hypothesize that administration of GITR agonistic antibody (Ab) could increase tumor-responsive T cells in the graft and induce a strong antitumor immunity in HSCT recipients. First, we confirmed that the intraperitoneal administration of GITR Ab into CT26 subcutaneous tumor model mice significantly increased the number of IFN-γ+ lymphocytes in response to CT26 cells in the spleens and regional lymph nodes. Second, to examine the antitumor effect of HSCT, the bone marrow cells and lymphocytes were harvested from CT26 tumor-bearing mice as donor cells, and infused into the lethally-irradiated recipient mice with CT26 inoculation (autologous HSCT model). In the HSCT recipients infused with primed lymphocytes by GITR Ab, the CT26 tumor growth was markedly suppressed compared with the recipients infused with non-primed lymphocytes, and tumors disappeared in all recipient mice infused with primed lymphocytes. An ELISpot assay showed that the number of IFN-γ+ spots in response to CT26 cells was significantly increased in HSCT recipient mice infused with GITR Ab-primed and non-primed donor lymphocytes as compared to wild type mice until 4 weeks after HSCT; while the frequency in recipients with primed lymphocytes was markedly elevated compared with that in mice with non-primed lymphocytes at 2 weeks after HSCT. At present, autologous HSCT is clinically practiced after intensive chemotherapy in patients with lymphomas and solid cancers such as neuroblastoma and sarcoma, the infusion of hematopoietic stem cells and pre-immunized lymphocytes after high dose chemotherapy is an attractive and feasible clinical introduction of HSCT-mediated immunotherapy. Although the subcutaneous tumors of NHOS murine osteosarcoma cells were resistant for HSCT, the infusion of GITR Ab-primed lymphocytes significantly induced stronger antitumor effect than the non-primed lymphocytes did. In conclusion, the combination of HSCT with pre-immunization by GITR Ab can induce a strong antitumor immunity. This therapeutic strategy deserves an evaluation in future clinical trial for solid cancers. Citation Format: Kenta Narumi, Marina Henmi, Chihiro Shibasaki, Aya Hirata, Yukihiro Mizoguchi, Kazunori Aoki. Pre-immunization of donor lymphocytes with GITR agonistic antibody enhances antitumor immunity in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3204.