Blockade of TGF-β signaling greatly enhances the efficacy of TCR gene therapy of cancer

J Immunol. 2013 Sep 15;191(6):3232-9. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1301270. Epub 2013 Aug 12.

Abstract

TCR gene therapy is a promising approach for the treatment of various human malignancies. However, the tumoricidal activity of TCR-modified T cells may be limited by local immunosuppressive mechanisms within the tumor environment. In particular, many malignancies induce T cell suppression in their microenvironment by TGF-β secretion. In this study, we evaluate whether blockade of TGF-β signaling in TCR-modified T cells enhances TCR gene therapy efficacy in an autochthonous mouse tumor model. Treatment of mice with advanced prostate cancer with T cells genetically engineered to express a tumor-reactive TCR and a dominant-negative TGF-β receptor II induces complete and sustained tumor regression, enhances survival, and leads to restored differentiation of prostate epithelium. These data demonstrate the potential to tailor the activity of TCR-modified T cells by additional genetic modification and provide a strong rationale for the clinical testing of TGF-β signaling blockade to enhance TCR gene therapy against advanced cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunotherapy, Adoptive / methods*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / genetics
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / immunology
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / genetics*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
  • Signal Transduction / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / transplantation
  • Transduction, Genetic
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta