Abstract 3327: L-pampo™, a TLR2/3 agonist, enhances anti-tumor immune responses and synergistically improves the anti-tumor efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cold tumors
Authors: Kim Guentae , Heo Yoonki , Kim Hye Jung , Park Sejung , Ahn Byung Cheol , Lee Won Suk , Kim Chan , Chon Hong Jae , Chun Eunyoung , Yum Jung Sun 
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Immunotherapy is a promising therapeutic approach for a wide range of cancers. However, some tumors called "cold tumors" lack infiltrating T-cells and are not responsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), leading to worse clinical outcomes. This study demonstrates that L-pampo, a novel TLR2/3 agonist, promotes an anti-tumor immune response in cold tumors. Also, combining L-pampo with ICIs can improve the anti-tumor efficacy more safely than standard-of-care (SoC) chemotherapies.

Method: We utilized syngeneic tumor models using CT26 colon cancer and 4T1 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). L-pampo was administered alone or in combination with ICIs such as anti-PD-1 (aPD-1) and anti-CTLA-4 (aCTLA-4) antibodies to tumor-bearing mice (n=8/group). Tumor size was measured every three days, and the survival rate was monitored until day 60. On day 21 or 27 after transplantation, we analyzed the tumor weight and tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Furthermore, we assessed the respective anti-tumor efficacies and safety of L-pampo and SoC chemotherapies (FOLFOX and paclitaxel).

Result: In the CT26 colon cancer model, L-pampo effectively reduced the tumor size compared to the vehicle group (83.7%). The combination of L-pampo and ICI reduced tumor size by 86.1% (with aCTLA4) and 90.5% (with aPD-1), while the ICI alone did not effectively inhibit tumor growth (aPD-1; 17.3%, aCTLA-4; 23.6%). Notably, the triple concurrent treatment with L-pampo, aPD-1 and aCTLA-4 reduced tumor size by 96.6% and induced completed tumor regression in 1 out of 8. In the 4T1 TNBC model, L-pampo reduced tumor size by 64.2% compared to the vehicle treatment, and combined treatment with L-pampo and a-PD-1 suppressed tumor growth compared to aPD-1 alone (9.6% vs. 61.5%). Additionally, L-pampo improved median overall survival in each tumor model (CT26; 25.5 vs. 35.5, 4T1; 29.5 vs. 53.5 days). To compare the anti-tumor efficacy of L-pampo and conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy, we treated tumor-bearing mice with FOLFOX or paclitaxel as SoC regimen, respectively. Compared with each chemotherapy, L-pampo revealed comparable antitumor efficacies (Tumor growth inhibition CT26; 75.6% vs. 70.6%, 4T1; 65.5% vs. 58.8%). Interestingly, L-pampo inhibited tumor growth without significant adverse effects. In contrast, conventional chemotherapies induced acute hematological side effects such as leukopenia/neutropenia/thrombocytopenia and rapid weight loss. Furthermore, L-pampo increased the active cytotoxic T-cells infiltration through antigen-presenting cells stimulation within the tumors.

Conclusion: This study suggests that L-pampo, a novel TLR2/3 agonist, can be a potent anti-tumor agent, improving the anti-tumor efficacy of ICIs in cold tumors with enhanced anti-tumor immunity and minimal toxicities than conventional chemotherapies.

Citation Format: Guentae Kim, Yoonki Heo, Hye Jung Kim, Sejung Park, Byung Cheol Ahn, Won Suk Lee, Chan Kim, Hong Jae Chon, Eunyoung Chun, Jung Sun Yum. L-pampo™, a TLR2/3 agonist, enhances anti-tumor immune responses and synergistically improves the anti-tumor efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cold tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 3327.