Upregulated Glucose Metabolism Correlates Inversely with CD8(+) T-cell Infiltration and Survival in Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Antibodies that block T-cell–regulatory checkpoints have recently emerged as a transformative approach to cancer treatment. However, the clinical efficacy of checkpoint blockade depends upon inherent tumor immunogenicity, with variation in infiltrating T cells contributing to differences in objective response rates. Here, we sought to understand the molecular correlates of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TIL) in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), using a systems biologic approach to integrate publicly available omics datasets with histopathologic features. We provide evidence that links TIL abundance and therapeutic outcome to the regulation of tumor glycolysis by EGFR and HIF, both of which are attractive molecular targets for use in combination with immunotherapeutics

Immunogenicity and Protection Efficacy of Replication-Deficient Influenza A Viruses with Altered NS1 Genes

We explored the immunogenic properties of influenza A viruses with altered NS1 genes (NS1 mutant viruses). NS1 mutant viruses expressing NS1 proteins with an impaired RNA-binding function or insertion of a longer foreign sequence did not replicate in murine lungs but still were capable of inducing a Th1-type immune response resulting in significant titers of virus-specific serum and mucosal immunoglobulin G2 (IgG2) and IgA, but with lower titers of IgG1. In contrast, replicating viruses elicited high titers of serum and mucosal IgG1 but less serum IgA. Replication-deficient NS1 mutant viruses induced a rapid local release of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6. Moreover, these viruses also elicited markedly higher levels of IFN-α/β in serum than the wild-type virus. Comparable numbers of virus-specific primary CD8(+) T cells were determined in all of the groups of immunized mice. The most rapid onset of the recall CD8(+)-T-cell response upon the wild-type virus challenge was detected in mice primed with NS1 mutant viruses eliciting high levels of cytokines. It is noteworthy that there was one NS1 mutant virus encoding NS1 protein with a deletion of 40 amino acids predominantly in the RNA-binding domain that induced the highest levels of IFN-α/β, IL-6 and IL-1β after infection. Mice that were immunized with this virus were completely protected from the challenge infection. These findings indicate that a targeted modification of the RNA-binding domain of the NS1 protein is a valuable technique to generate replication-deficient, but immunogenic influenza virus vaccines

Targeting carcinoembryonic antigen with DNA vaccination: on-target adverse events link with immunological and clinical outcomes

PURPOSE: We have clinically evaluated a DNA fusion vaccine to target the HLA-A*0201 binding peptide CAP-1 from carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA605-613) linked to an immunostimulatory domain (DOM) from fragment C of tetanus toxin Experimental Design: Twenty-seven patients with CEA-expressing carcinomas were recruited: 15 patients with measurable disease (Arm-I) and 12 patients without radiological evidence of disease (Arm-II). Six intramuscular vaccinations of naked DNA (1mg/dose) were administered up to week 12. Clinical and immunological follow-up was to week 64 or clinical/radiological disease.RESULTS: DOM-specific immune responses demonstrated successful vaccine delivery. All patients without measurable disease compared to 60% with advanced disease responded immunologically, while 58% and 20% expanded anti-CAP-1 CD8+ T-cells, respectively. CAP-1-specific T-cells were only detectable in the blood post-vaccination, but could also be identified in previously resected cancer tissue. The gastrointestinal adverse event diarrhea was reported by 48% of patients and linked to more frequent decreases in CEA (p<0.001) and improved global immunological responses (anti-DOM responses of greater magnitude (p<0.001), frequency (p=0.004) and duration) compared to patients without diarrhea. In advanced disease patients, decreases in CEA were associated with better overall survival (HR=0.14, p=0.017). CAP-1 peptide was detectable on MHC class I of normal bowel mucosa and primary colorectal cancer tissue by mass-spectrometry, offering a mechanistic explanation for diarrhea through CD8+ T-cell attack.CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that DNA vaccination is able to overcome peripheral tolerance in normal and tumor tissue and warrants testing in combination studies, for example, by vaccinating in parallel to treatment with an anti-PD1 antibody