Targeting PIM Kinase with PD1 Inhibition Improves Immunotherapeutic Antitumor T-cell Response.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
PURPOSE: Adoptive T-cell therapy (ACT) of cancer, which involves the infusion of ex vivo-engineered tumor epitope reactive autologous T cells into the tumor-bearing host, is a potential treatment modality for cancer. However, the durable antitumor response following ACT is hampered either by loss of effector function or survival of the antitumor T cells. Therefore, strategies to improve the persistence and sustain the effector function of the antitumor T cells are of immense importance. Given the role of metabolism in determining the therapeutic efficacy of T cells, we hypothesize that inhibition of PIM kinases, a family of serine/threonine kinase that promote cell-cycle transition, cell growth, and regulate mTORC1 activity, can improve the potency of T cells in controlling tumor. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The role of PIM kinases in T cells was studied either by genetic ablation (PIM1-/-PIM2-/-PIM3-/-) or its pharmacologic inhibition (pan-PIM kinase inhibitor, PimKi). Murine melanoma B16 was established subcutaneously and treated by transferring tumor epitope gp100-reactive T cells along with treatment regimen that involved inhibiting PIM kinases, anti-PD1 or both. RESULTS: With inhibition of PIM kinases, T cells had significant reduction in their uptake of glucose, and upregulated expression of memory-associated genes that inversely correlate with glycolysis. In addition, the expression of CD38, which negatively regulates the metabolic fitness of the T cells, was also reduced in PimKi-treated cells. Importantly, the efficacy of antitumor T-cell therapy was markedly improved by inhibiting PIM kinases in tumor-bearing mice receiving ACT, and further enhanced by adding anti-PD1 antibody to this combination. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the potential therapeutic significance of combinatorial strategies where ACT and inhibition of signaling kinase with checkpoint blockade could improve tumor control.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Chatterjee, S; Chakraborty, P; Daenthanasanmak, A; Iamsawat, S; Andrejeva, G; Luevano, LA; Wolf, M; Baliga, U; Krieg, C; Beeson, CC; Mehrotra, M; Hill, EG; Rathmell, JC; Yu, X-Z; Kraft, AS; Mehrotra, S
Published Date
- February 1, 2019
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 25 / 3
Start / End Page
- 1036 - 1049
PubMed ID
- 30327305
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC6361669
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1557-3265
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-18-0706
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States