TIGIT and PD1 Co-blockade Restores ex vivo Functions of Human Tumor-Infiltrating CD8⁺ T Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

TIGIT is a co-inhibitory receptor, and its suitability as a target for cancer immunotherapy in HCC is unknown. PD1 blockade is clinically effective in about 20% of advanced HCC patients. Here we aim to determine whether co-blockade of TIGIT/PD1 has added value to restore functionality of HCC tumor-infiltrating T cells (TILs).

Methods

Mononuclear leukocytes were isolated from tumors, paired tumor-free liver tissues (TFL) and peripheral blood of HCC patients, and used for flow cytometric phenotyping and functional assays. CD3/CD28 T-cell stimulation and antigen-specific assays were used to study the ex vivo effects of TIGIT/PD1 single or dual blockade on T-cell functions.

Results

TIGIT was enriched, whereas its co-stimulatory counterpart CD226 was down

SUBMITTER: Ge Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8255944 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature