Sensitization of B16 tumor cells with a CXCR4 antagonist increases the efficacy of immunotherapy for established lung metastases

Mol Cancer Ther. 2006 Oct;5(10):2592-9. doi: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-06-0310.

Abstract

Expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 by tumor cells promotes metastasis, possibly by activating prosurvival signals that render cancer cells resistant to immune attack. Inhibition of CXCR4 with a peptide antagonist, T22, blocks metastatic implantation of CXCR4-transduced B16 (CXCR4-luc-B16) melanoma cells in lung, but not the outgrowth of established metastases, raising the question of how T22 can best be used in a clinical setting. Herein, whereas the treatment of CXCR4-luc-B16 cells in vitro with the CXCR4 ligand CXCL12 did not reduce killing induced by cisplatin or cyclophosphamide, CXCL12 markedly reduced Fas-dependent killing by gp100-specific (pmel-1) CD8(+) T cells. T22 pretreatment restored sensitivity of CXCR4-luc-B16 cells to pmel-1 killing, even in the presence of CXCL12. Two immune-augmenting regimens were used in combination with T22 to treat experimental lung metastases. First, low-dose cyclophosphamide treatment (100 mg/kg) on day 5 in combination with T22 (days 4-7) yielded a approximately 70% reduction of B16 metastatic tumor burden in the lungs compared with cyclophosphamide treatment alone (P < 0.001). Furthermore, whereas anti-CTL antigen 4 (CTLA4) monoclonal antibody (mAb; or T22 treatment) alone had little effect on established B16 metastases, pretreatment with T22 (in combination with anti-CTLA4 mAb) resulted in a 50% reduction in lung tumor burden (P = 0.02). Thus, in vitro, CXCR4 antagonism with T22 renders B16 cells susceptible to killing by antigen-specific T cells. In vivo, T22 synergizes with cyclophosphamide or anti-CTLA4 mAb in the treatment of established lung metastases, suggesting a novel strategy for augmenting the efficacy of immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Apoptosis
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Chemokines, CXC / pharmacology
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Drug Synergism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Melanoma, Experimental / immunology
  • Melanoma, Experimental / secondary
  • Melanoma, Experimental / therapy*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, SCID
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Peptides / administration & dosage*
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Peptides / therapeutic use
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / genetics
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • CXCL12 protein, human
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Chemokines, CXC
  • Cxcl12 protein, mouse
  • Peptides
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • T22 peptide
  • Cyclophosphamide