Checkpoint inhibitors like anti-PD1/PD-L1 have demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy in a subset of patients partly through reinvigoration of CD8 T cells. However, their impact on myeloid ...cells remains largely unknown. Here, we report that anti-PD-L1 treatment favorably impacts the phenotype and function of tumor macrophages by polarizing the macrophage compartment toward a more proinflammatory phenotype. This phenotype was characterized by a decrease in Arginase-I (ARG1) expression and an increase in iNOS, MHCII, and CD40 expression. Whole-transcriptome profiling further confirmed extensive polarization of both tumor monocytes and macrophages from a suppressive to a proinflammatory, immunostimulatory phenotype. This polarization was driven mainly through IFNγ and was associated with enhanced T-cell activity. Transfer of monocytes into anti-PD-L1-treated tumor-bearing mice led to macrophage differentiation into a more proinflammatory phenotype, with an increase in CD8 T cells expressing granzyme-B and an increase in the CD8/Treg ratio compared with control-treated mice. Although in responsive tumor models, anti-PD-L1 treatment remodeled the macrophage compartment with beneficial effects on T cells, both macrophage reprogramming and depletion were needed to maximize anti-PD-L1 responses in a tumor immune contexture with high macrophage burden. Our results demonstrate that anti-PD-L1 treatment can favorably remodel the macrophage compartment in responsive tumor models toward a more proinflammatory phenotype, mainly through increased IFNγ levels. They also suggest that directly targeting these cells with reprogramming and depleting agents may further augment the breadth and depth of response to anti-PD-L1 treatment in less responsive or more macrophage-dense tumor microenvironments. SIGNIFICANCE: This work demonstrates that increased IFNγ signaling following anti-PD-L1 treatment can remodel the macrophage compartment to enhance T-cell responses.
http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/79/7/1493/F1.large.jpg.
Summary Background Patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma have few treatment options after failure of platinum-based chemotherapy. In this trial, we assessed treatment with atezolizumab, an ...engineered humanised immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody that binds selectively to programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), in this patient population. Methods For this multicentre, single-arm, two-cohort, phase 2 trial, patients (aged ≥18 years) with inoperable locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma whose disease had progressed after previous platinum-based chemotherapy were enrolled from 70 major academic medical centres and community oncology practices in Europe and North America. Key inclusion criteria for enrolment were Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1, measurable disease defined by Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1), adequate haematological and end-organ function, and no autoimmune disease or active infections. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour specimens with sufficient viable tumour content were needed from all patients before enrolment. Patients received treatment with intravenous atezolizumab (1200 mg, given every 3 weeks). PD-L1 expression on tumour-infiltrating immune cells (ICs) was assessed prospectively by immunohistochemistry. The co-primary endpoints were the independent review facility-assessed objective response rate according to RECIST v1.1 and the investigator-assessed objective response rate according to immune-modified RECIST, analysed by intention to treat. A hierarchical testing procedure was used to assess whether the objective response rate was significantly higher than the historical control rate of 10% at an α level of 0·05. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT02108652. Findings Between May 13, 2014, and Nov 19, 2014, 486 patients were screened and 315 patients were enrolled into the study. Of these patients, 310 received atezolizumab treatment (five enrolled patients later did not meet eligibility criteria and were not dosed with study drug). The PD-L1 expression status on infiltrating immune cells (ICs) in the tumour microenvironment was defined by the percentage of PD-L1-positive immune cells: IC0 (<1%), IC1 (≥1% but <5%), and IC2/3 (≥5%). The primary analysis (data cutoff May 5, 2015) showed that compared with a historical control overall response rate of 10%, treatment with atezolizumab resulted in a significantly improved RECIST v1.1 objective response rate for each prespecified immune cell group (IC2/3: 27% 95% CI 19–37, p<0·0001; IC1/2/3: 18% 13–24, p=0·0004) and in all patients (15% 11–20, p=0·0058). With longer follow-up (data cutoff Sept 14, 2015), by independent review, objective response rates were 26% (95% CI 18–36) in the IC2/3 group, 18% (13–24) in the IC1/2/3 group, and 15% (11–19) overall in all 310 patients. With a median follow-up of 11·7 months (95% CI 11·4–12·2), ongoing responses were recorded in 38 (84%) of 45 responders. Exploratory analyses showed The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) subtypes and mutation load to be independently predictive for response to atezolizumab. Grade 3–4 treatment-related adverse events, of which fatigue was the most common (five patients 2%), occurred in 50 (16%) of 310 treated patients. Grade 3–4 immune-mediated adverse events occurred in 15 (5%) of 310 treated patients, with pneumonitis, increased aspartate aminotransferase, increased alanine aminotransferase, rash, and dyspnoea being the most common. No treatment-related deaths occurred during the study. Interpretation Atezolizumab showed durable activity and good tolerability in this patient population. Increased levels of PD-L1 expression on immune cells were associated with increased response. This report is the first to show the association of TCGA subtypes with response to immune checkpoint inhibition and to show the importance of mutation load as a biomarker of response to this class of agents in advanced urothelial carcinoma. Funding F Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.
Emerging research suggests that multiple tumor compartments can influence treatment responsiveness and relapse, yet the search for therapeutic resistance mechanisms remains largely focused on ...acquired genomic alterations in cancer cells. Here we show how treatment-induced changes occur in multiple tumor compartments during tumor relapse and can reduce benefit of follow-on therapies. By using serial biopsies, next-generation sequencing, and single-cell transcriptomics, we tracked the evolution of multiple cellular compartments within individual lesions during first-line treatment response, relapse, and second-line therapeutic interventions in an autochthonous model of melanoma. We discovered that although treatment-relapsed tumors remained genetically stable, they converged on a shared resistance phenotype characterized by dramatic changes in tumor cell differentiation state, immune infiltration, and extracellular matrix (ECM) composition. Similar alterations in tumor cell differentiation were also observed in more than half of our treatment-relapsed patient tumors. Tumor cell-state changes were coincident with ECM remodeling and increased tumor stiffness, which alone was sufficient to alter tumor cell fate and reduce treatment responses in melanoma cell lines in vitro. Despite the absence of acquired mutations in the targeted pathway, resistant tumors showed significantly decreased responsiveness to second-line therapy intervention within the same pathway. The ability to preclinically model relapse and refractory settings-while capturing dynamics within and crosstalk between all relevant tumor compartments-provides a unique opportunity to better design and sequence appropriate clinical interventions.
A detailed analysis of whole genomes can be now achieved with next generation sequencing. Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) transformation is a widely used strategy in clinical research to obtain an unlimited ...source of a subject's DNA. Although the mechanism of transformation and immortalization by EBV is relatively well known at the transcriptional and proteomic level, the genetic consequences of EBV transformation are less well understood. A detailed analysis of the genetic alterations introduced by EBV transformation is highly relevant, as it will inform on the usefulness and limitations of this approach.
We used whole genome sequencing to assess the genomic signature of a low-passage lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL). Specifically, we sequenced the full genome (40X) of an individual using DNA purified from fresh whole blood as well as DNA from his LCL. A total of 217.33 Gb of sequence were generated from the cell line and 238.95 Gb from the normal genomic DNA. We determined with high confidence that 99.2% of the genomes were identical, with no reproducible changes in structural variation (chromosomal rearrangements and copy number variations) or insertion/deletion polymorphisms (indels).
Our results suggest that, at this level of resolution, the LCL is genetically indistinguishable from its genomic counterpart and therefore their use in clinical research is not likely to introduce a significant bias.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract We have identified a marked over-representation of transcription factors controlling differentiation of T, B, myeloid and NK cells among the 110 MS genes now known to be associated with ...multiple sclerosis (MS). To test if the expression of these genes might define molecular subtypes of MS, we interrogated their expression in blood in three independent cohorts of untreated MS (from Sydney and Adelaide) or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS, from San Francisco) patients. Expression of the transcription factors (TF) controlling T and NK cell differentiation, EOMES, TBX21 and other TFs was significantly lower in MS/CIS compared to healthy controls in all three cohorts. Expression was tightly correlated between these TFs, with other T/NK cell TFs, and to another downregulated gene, CCL5. Expression was stable over time, but did not predict disease phenotype. Optimal response to therapy might be indicated by normalization of expression of these genes in blood.
Abstract
Background: The addition of bevacizumab (bev) to atezolizumab (atezo) has demonstrated enhanced anti-tumor immune responses in pts with solid tumors (Wallin 2016). In IMmotion150 ...(NCT01984242), a phase II trial that compared atezo+/-bev vs sunitinib (sun) in untreated mRCC, encouraging antitumor activity of atezo+bev vs sun was observed in PD-L1 expressing tumors. We performed integrated tumor genomic analyses to correlate molecular signatures with clinical outcomes.
Methods: PD-L1 status on tumor infiltrating immune cells (IC) was assessed with the SP142 IHC assay (IC0, IC1, IC2/3) (n=297). Exploratory analyses included mutation evaluation by WES (n=170) and gene expression analysis by RNA-Seq (n=263). Established gene signatures at < median (low) or > median (high) expression levels representing T effector and IFNγ response (Teff) and angiogenesis (Ang) were evaluated in relation to PFS (RECIST v1.1 by independent review).
Results: PFS was longer in PD-L1 IC2/3 and in PD-L1 IC1/2/3 in atezo+bev pts vs sun pts and in PD-L1 IC2/3 in atezo pts vs sun pts. High Teff signature expression was associated with PD-L1 IHC and longer PFS in atezo+bev pts vs sun pts. High Ang expression was associated with improved clinical activity in the sun arm; but not the atezo+bev arm. Atezo+bev had improved PFS vs sun in the Ang low subset. Additional data exploring association of high prevalence mutations with clinical outcome will be presented.
Conclusions: These data indicate that the addition of bev to atezo may improve clinical benefit in patients with pre-existing anti-tumor immunity (as determined by high Teff score or PD-L1 IHC) compared to sun. Molecular profiles identified in these analyses suggest that prediction of differential outcomes to VEGF TKI and immunotherapy may be possible in front line mRCC. These results will be further explored in the ongoing phase III study IMmotion151 (NCT02420821).
Atezo + Bev vs SunAtezo vs SunPFS HR (95% CI)PD-L1 IHC IC1/2/30.66 (0.41-1.07)0.97 (0.61-1.55)PD-L1 IHC IC2/30.36 (0.14-0.88)0.54 (0.23-1.28)Teff high0.55 (0.32-0.95)0.85 (0.50-1.43)Teff low1.41 (0.84-2.03)1.33 (0.76-2.33)Ang high1.36 (0.78-2.36)1.46 (0.81-2.60)Ang low0.58 (0.35-0.98)0.75 (0.45-1.25)PD-L1 IHC: IC1/2/3, ≥ 1% of TILs are PD-L1+; IC2/3, ≥ 5% of TILs are PD-L1+.Teff signature: CD8A, IFNG, PRF1, EOMES, PD-L1.Ang signature: VEGFA, KDR, ESM1, PECAM1, ANGPTL4, CD34.
Citation Format: David McDermott, Mahrukh Huseni, Brian Rini, Robert Motzer, Michael Atkins, Berard Escudier, Dorothee Nickles, Zach Boyd, Shruthi Sampath, Jennifer Doss, Ning Leng, Christina Schiff, Daniel S. Chen, Gregg Fine, Thomas Powles, Priti S. Hegde. Molecular correlates of differential response to Atezolizumab +/- Bevacizumab vs Sunitnib in a Phase II study in untreated metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients abstract. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr CT081. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-CT081
Therapeutic antibodies that block the programmed death-1 (PD-1)-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway can induce robust and durable responses in patients with various cancers, including ...metastatic urothelial cancer. However, these responses only occur in a subset of patients. Elucidating the determinants of response and resistance is key to improving outcomes and developing new treatment strategies. Here we examined tumours from a large cohort of patients with metastatic urothelial cancer who were treated with an anti-PD-L1 agent (atezolizumab) and identified major determinants of clinical outcome. Response to treatment was associated with CD8
T-effector cell phenotype and, to an even greater extent, high neoantigen or tumour mutation burden. Lack of response was associated with a signature of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signalling in fibroblasts. This occurred particularly in patients with tumours, which showed exclusion of CD8
T cells from the tumour parenchyma that were instead found in the fibroblast- and collagen-rich peritumoural stroma; a common phenotype among patients with metastatic urothelial cancer. Using a mouse model that recapitulates this immune-excluded phenotype, we found that therapeutic co-administration of TGFβ-blocking and anti-PD-L1 antibodies reduced TGFβ signalling in stromal cells, facilitated T-cell penetration into the centre of tumours, and provoked vigorous anti-tumour immunity and tumour regression. Integration of these three independent biological features provides the best basis for understanding patient outcome in this setting and suggests that TGFβ shapes the tumour microenvironment to restrain anti-tumour immunity by restricting T-cell infiltration.
We describe results from IMmotion150, a randomized phase 2 study of atezolizumab (anti-PD-L1) alone or combined with bevacizumab (anti-VEGF) versus sunitinib in 305 patients with treatment-naive ...metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Co-primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) in intent-to-treat and PD-L1+ populations. Intent-to-treat PFS hazard ratios for atezolizumab + bevacizumab or atezolizumab monotherapy versus sunitinib were 1.0 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.69-1.45) and 1.19 (95% CI, 0.82-1.71), respectively; PD-L1+ PFS hazard ratios were 0.64 (95% CI, 0.38-1.08) and 1.03 (95% CI, 0.63-1.67), respectively. Exploratory biomarker analyses indicated that tumor mutation and neoantigen burden were not associated with PFS. Angiogenesis, T-effector/IFN-γ response, and myeloid inflammatory gene expression signatures were strongly and differentially associated with PFS within and across the treatments. These molecular profiles suggest that prediction of outcomes with anti-VEGF and immunotherapy may be possible and offer mechanistic insights into how blocking VEGF may overcome resistance to immune checkpoint blockade.
Stabilization of the transcription factor NRF2 through genomic alterations in
and
occurs in a quarter of patients with lung adenocarcinoma and a third of patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma. ...In lung adenocarcinoma,
loss often co-occurs with
loss and
-activating alterations. Despite its prevalence, the impact of NRF2 activation on tumor progression and patient outcomes is not fully defined.
We model NRF2 activation,
loss, and
activation
using novel genetically engineered mouse models. Furthermore, we derive a NRF2 activation signature from human non-small cell lung tumors that we use to dissect how these genomic events impact outcomes and immune contexture of participants in the OAK and IMpower131 immunotherapy trials.
Our
data reveal roles for NRF2 activation in (i) promoting rapid-onset, multifocal intrabronchiolar carcinomas, leading to lethal pulmonary dysfunction, and (ii) decreasing elevated redox stress in
-mutant,
-null tumors. In patients with nonsquamous tumors, the NRF2 signature is negatively prognostic independently of
loss. Patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma with low NRF2 signature survive longer when receiving anti-PD-L1 treatment.
Our
modeling establishes NRF2 activation as a critical oncogenic driver, cooperating with
loss and
activation to promote aggressive lung adenocarcinoma. In patients, oncogenic events alter the tumor immune contexture, possibly having an impact on treatment responses. Importantly, patients with NRF2-activated nonsquamous or squamous tumors have poor prognosis and show limited response to anti-PD-L1 treatment.
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