Inflammation induced by incomplete radiofrequency ablation accelerates tumor progression and hinders PD-1 immunotherapy

Nat Commun. 2019 Nov 28;10(1):5421. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-13204-3.

Abstract

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) promotes tumor antigen-specific T cell responses and enhances the effect of immunotherapy in preclinical settings. Here we report that the existence of remnant tumor masses due to incomplete RFA (iRFA) is associated with earlier new metastases and poor survival in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM). Using mouse models, we demonstrate that iRFA promotes tumor progression and hinders the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy. Immune analysis reveals that iRFA induces sustained local inflammation with predominant myeloid suppressor cells, which inhibit T cell function in tumors. Mechanistically, tumor cell-derived CCL2 is critical for the accumulation of monocytes and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). The crosstalk between TAMs and tumor cells enhances the CCL2 production by tumor cells. Furthermore, we find that administration of a CCR2 antagonist or the loss of CCL2 expression in tumor cells enhances the antitumor activity of PD-1 blockade, providing a salvage alternative for residual tumors after iRFA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chemokine CCL2 / immunology*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Liver Neoplasms / immunology
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Macrophages / immunology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Middle Aged
  • Monocytes
  • Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells / immunology
  • Neoplasm, Residual / immunology*
  • Prognosis
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Radiofrequency Ablation*
  • Receptors, CCR2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Ccl2 protein, mouse
  • Chemokine CCL2
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Receptors, CCR2
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha