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The CD155/TIGIT axis promotes and maintains immune evasion in neoantigen-expressing pancreatic cancer

ABSTRACT: The CD155/TIGIT axis can be co-opted during immune evasion in chronic viral infections and cancer. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy, and immune-based strategies to combat this disease have been largely unsuccessful to date. We corroborate prior reports that a substantial portion of PDAC harbors predicted high affinity MHC class I-restricted neoepitopes and extend these findings to advanced/metastatic disease. Using two novel preclinical models of neoantigen-expressing PDAC, we demonstrate that intratumoral neoantigen-specific CD8+ T cells adopt multiple states of dysfunction, which are similar to tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes of human PDAC patients. Mechanistically, genetic and/or pharmacologic modulation of the CD155/TIGIT axis was sufficient to promote immune evasion in autochthonous neoantigen-expressing PDAC. Finally, we demonstrate that the CD155/TIGIT axis is critical to maintain immune evasion in PDAC and uncover a combination immunotherapy (TIGIT/PD-1 co-blockade plus CD40 agonism) that elicits profound anti-tumor responses in preclinical models, now poised for clinical evaluation.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE163059 | GEO | 2021/07/25

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Background. Dendritic cell (DC)-based neoantigen vaccination holds potential as a safe and effective adjuvant therapy for patients with early-stage, resectable NSCLC, a tumor type typically characterized by high mutational loads. DCs have the unique ability to elicit robust antitumoral T-cell responses, while neoantigens are ideal targets to elicit high-affinity T cell responses with exquisite tumor specificity. Here, we present the results of a phase I clinical trial in which a novel DC vaccine targeting neoantigens was evaluated in six patients with early stage, resected NSCLC. Methods. Tumor samples were subjected to a comprehensive neoantigen identification approach encompassing genomics, transcriptomics and immunopeptidomics. Using genomics and transcriptopmics data, tumor-specific antigens were identified by a bioinformatics approach. Additionally, immunopeptidomics was performed by immunoprecipitation of human MHC class I molecule followed by immunopeptides enrichment and LC-MS/MS analysis. Two immunopeptidomics screens were performed. In the first immunopeptidomics screen, patient-derived tumors were analyzed to uncover neoepitopes specific for the patient. In the second, screen, patient-derived EBV-immortilized B cell lines overexpressing the selected neoepitopes were analyzed to verify that the predicted neoepitopes can bind to the HLA haplotypes of the patients. For anti-tumor vaccination, patients underwent leukapheresis for the manufacturing of monocyte-derived DCs loaded with neoantigens (Neo-mDCs) according to a four-day protocol. Neo-mDCs were injected intravenously following an intrapatient dose escalation scheme. Primary endpoint of the trial was safety. Secondary endpoints were feasibility, immunogenicity, and relapse-free survival. Results. In the first immunopeptidomics screen, one neoepitopes derived was identified from the tumor of one patient. In the second immunopeptidomics screen, several predicted neoepitopes were confirmed to be presented on the HLA haplotypes of the patients by analyzing the patient-derived EBV-immortilized B cell lines. Additionally, the vaccine was demonstrated to be feasible and safe. T cell responses were observed in 5 of 6 vaccinated patients and were dominated by CD8+ T cells, which could be detected ex vivo at high frequencies >1.5 years after the last dose. Furthermore, single cell analysis indicated that the CD8+ T cell responsive population was polyclonal and exhibited the near entire spectrum of T cell differentiation states, including a naïve-like state associated with long lasting memory but excluding exhausted cell states. Three of six vaccinated patients experienced disease relapse. Conclusion. Neo-mDC vaccination is safe and feasible. Vaccination induces large populations of neoantigen-specific T-cell responses containing long lasting memory and effector cells in early-stage NSCLC patients, suggesting clinical potential.

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The CD155/TIGIT axis promotes and maintains immune evasion in neoantigen-expressing pancreatic cancer

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