Tumor-targeted TNFα stabilizes tumor vessels and enhances active immunotherapy

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 May 15;109(20):7841-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1118296109. Epub 2012 Apr 30.

Abstract

Solid tumors are intrinsically resistant to immune rejection. Abnormal tumor vasculature can act as a barrier for immune cell migration into tumors. We tested whether targeting IFNγ and/or TNFα into pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors can alleviate immune suppression. We found that intratumoral IFNγ causes rapid vessel loss, which does not support anti-tumor immunity. In contrast, low-dose TNFα enhances T-cell infiltration and overall survival, an effect that is exclusively mediated by CD8(+) effector cells. Intriguingly, lymphocyte influx does not correlate with increased vessel leakiness. Instead, low-dose TNFα stabilizes the vascular network and improves vessel perfusion. Inflammatory vessel remodeling is, at least in part, mediated by tumor-resident macrophages that are reprogrammed to secrete immune and angiogenic modulators. Moreover, inflammatory vessel remodeling with low-dose TNFα substantially improves antitumor vaccination or adoptive T-cell therapy. Thus, low-dose TNFα promotes both vessel remodeling and antitumor immune responses and acts as a potent adjuvant for active immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / immunology*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology*
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microvessels / immunology*
  • Neuroendocrine Cells / immunology*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interferon-gamma