Abstract
AbstractA paucity of effector T cells within tumors renders pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) resistant to immune checkpoint therapies. While several under-development approaches target immune-suppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment, there is less focus on improving T cell function. Here we show that inhibiting vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor (VIP-R) signaling enhances anti-tumor immunity in murine PDAC models. In silico data mining and immunohistochemistry analysis of primary tumors indicate overexpression of the neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in human PDAC tumors. Elevated VIP levels are also present in PDAC patient plasma and supernatants of cultured PDAC cells. Furthermore, T cells up-regulate VIP receptors after activation, identifying the VIP signaling pathway as a potential target to enhance T cell function. In mouse PDAC models, VIP-R antagonist peptides synergize with anti-PD-1 antibody treatment in improving T cell recruitment into the tumors, activation of tumor-antigen-specific T cells, and inhibition of T cell exhaustion. In contrast to the limited single-agent activity of anti-PD1 antibodies or VIP-R antagonist peptides, combining both therapies eliminate tumors in up to 40% of animals. Furthermore, tumor-free mice resist tumor re-challenge, indicating anti-cancer immunological memory generation. VIP-R signaling thus represents a tumor-protective immune-modulatory pathway that is targetable in PDAC.
Funder
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Cancer Institute
Katz Foundation funding Emory School of Medicine Dean’s Imagine, Innovate and Impact (I3) venture award
Emory University | Winship Cancer Institute
Emory University | School of Medicine, Emory University
Abraham and J. Phyllis Katz Foundation Adaptive Biotechnologies Rein Saral Professorship in Cancer Medicine
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
General Physics and Astronomy,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,General Chemistry,Multidisciplinary
Cited by
9 articles.
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