Abstract
The protective capability of tumor antigen-specific T cells is regulated by costimulatory and inhibitory signals. Current approaches in cancer immunotherapy seek to restore the function of unresponsive T cells by blocking inhibitory pathways. In contrast, providing exogenous costimulatory signals to T cells also enhances antitumor functionality. By combining these two clinical approaches, we demonstrate the synergy of targeting PD-L1 together with the costimulatory molecule OX40, to enhance antitumor immunity. Concurrently blocking PD-L1 and providing a costimulatory agonist to OX40 increased the presence and functionality of tumor antigen-specific CD8 + T cells with simultaneous enhancement of T-helper type 1 (Th1)-skewed CD4 + T cells. This shift was functionally supported by increased glucose metabolism of antigen-specific CD8 + T cells and the acquisition of granzyme B by regulatory T cells. Together, this mechanism promoted tumor regression of late-stage tumors beyond that achieved by either blockade as monotherapy. These findings indicate that targeting both T-cell intrinsic (OX40) and extrinsic (PD-L1) regulatory molecules increases the bioenergetic potential of T cells, thereby expanding functional and tumor antigen-specific T cells.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 269-281 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Cancer Immunology Research |
Volume | 7 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2019 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Cancer Research