Abstract 554: Checkpoint blockade therapy is improved by altering the immune suppressive microenvironment with IPI-549, a potent and selective inhibitor of PI3K-gamma, in preclinical models
Authors: De Henau Olivier , Merghoub Taha , Winkler David , Sharma Sujata , Pink Melissa , Tchaicha Jeremy , Rausch Matthew , Proctor Jennifer , Kosmider Nicole , Soglia John , Palombella Vito , Kutok Jeffery L. , Wolchok Jedd D. , McGovern Karen 
Published: July 2016

The phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) lipid kinases transduce signals in response to various stimuli in different cell types. PI3K-γ is predominantly expressed in leukocytes and not expressed in most epithelial tumors or sarcomas. Genetic studies highlight an important role for PI3K-γ in myeloid-derived cells that constitute a key component of the immune suppressive tumor microenvironment (Schmid et al. Canc Cell 2011). Targeting PI3K-γ could therefore alter the immune tumor microenvironment, enabling the immune system to attack tumor cells more effectively. We are developing IPI-549, an investigational small molecule inhibitor of PI3K-γ, and provide data to support the therapeutic potential of breaking tumor immune tolerance through PI3K-γ inhibition.

IPI-549 is a potent and selective inhibitor of PI3K-γ with favorable pharmacological properties. In vitro functional assays demonstrated that IPI-549 blocked bone marrow derived M2 murine macrophage polarization, but did not affect M1 polarization. Oral administration of IPI-549 to tumor-bearing mice resulted in significant tumor growth inhibition in multiple syngeneic solid tumor models at PI3K-γ selective doses. Analysis of the tumor-associated immune cells demonstrated that IPI-549 treatment results in decreased immune suppressive myeloid cells and increased CD8+ T cells, suggesting enhanced anti-tumor immunity. To address the requirement for targeting myeloid cells by IPI-549, CD11b+ cells were depleted from a transplanted whole tumor Lewis Lung Carcinoma model and the effect of IPI-549 on limiting tumor growth was abrogated. In addition, a myeloid-infiltrated B16-GMCSF model, but not the isogenic B16 model without GMCSF, was responsive to IPI-549. Studies in immune-deficient mice or CD8 T-cell depleted tumor bearing mice demonstrated the T-cell dependence of IPI-549-mediated tumor growth inhibition. IPI-549 treatment also led to a significant reduction in lung metastases in the 4T1 and B16-GMCSF models. Importantly, in vivo studies with IPI-549 in combination with the immune checkpoint inhibitors anti-PD-1, anti-PDL-1 and anti-CTLA-4 showed increased tumor growth inhibition in multiple models compared to monotherapies alone. These data can inform combinations for future clinical trials.

Our studies support a role for PI3K-γ in immune suppressive myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment and provide evidence that targeted inhibition of PI3K-γ by IPI-549 can restore antitumor immune responses and inhibit tumor growth in preclinical models. A Phase 1 study evaluating IPI-549 as an orally administered therapeutic, as a single agent and in combination with an anti-PD-1 antibody therapy, in patients with selected solid tumors is expected to begin in early 2016.

Citation Format: Olivier De Henau, Taha Merghoub, David Winkler, Sujata Sharma, Melissa Pink, Jeremy Tchaicha, Matthew Rausch, Jennifer Proctor, Nicole Kosmider, John Soglia, Vito Palombella, Jeffery L. Kutok, Jedd D. Wolchok, Karen McGovern. Checkpoint blockade therapy is improved by altering the immune suppressive microenvironment with IPI-549, a potent and selective inhibitor of PI3K-gamma, in preclinical models. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 554.