Abstract 3512: Impact of IDO inhibitor on tryptophan and kynurenine pathway reflected in the tumor microenvironment and highlighted using quantitative mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Poncelet Lauranne , Ait-Belkacem Rima , Gomes Bruno , Linehan Stefan , Hamm Gregory , Stauber Jonathan 
Published: August 2018

Introduction: Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1) is an enzyme which converts tryptophan (Trp) into kynurenine (Kyn) in many cell types. IDO1 has a critical role in immunosuppressive mechanisms that permit tumor cells to escape the immune system when Trp and Kyn level decrease and increase in the microenvironment, respectively. Therefore, IDO1 has been one of the first targets that have really been purposed for immuno-oncology (I-O) applications and immunotherapies development. A potent and selective IDO1 inhibitor such as Epacadostat (EPA) can significantly enhance the antitumor activity by restoring the body's natural ability to recognize and to fight cancer. In this study, using quantitative mass spectrometry imaging (QMSI, we went further than only quantifying the metabolites and the drug. Both target exposure and engagement studies were handled in CT26 mouse tumor model, plasma and whole blood.

Methods: Undifferentiated colon carcinoma CT26 cell line was implanted into mice. Tumors, plasma and blood were sampled from two groups: one treated group (3 mice, 100mg/Kg of EPA 2 hours before sampling), and one control group of 2 mice. All samples were stored at -80°C until use. 1,5-diaminonaphthalene (1,5-DAN) matrix mixed to internal standards was sprayed onto tumor tissue sections of 10 µm thickness using the automatic TM Sprayer (HTX Technologies, LLC) prior analysis. Data acquisition was performed using 7T MALDI-FTICR (SolariX XR, Bruker Daltonics) at 120 µm spatial resolution in full scan negative mode. Acquired data were treated with MultimagingTM software (ImaBiotech). Histological staining was applied afterwards. Quantitative results of Trp, Kyn and EPA in whole tumors, plasma and blood were then confirmed by LC-MS/MS analysis.

Results: Using both QMSI and LC-MS/MS technologies, quantification was realized for the two endogenous metabolites and the drug. Thus, using a potent and selective IDO1 inhibitor, EPA, CT26 model validation was possible. As expected, a decrease of Kyn/Trp ratio was noticed in treated CT26 tumors (-24%), plasma (-57%) and blood (-45%) compared to control samples. By inhibiting IDO1 and decreasing Kyn in tumor cells, EPA increases and restores the proliferation, activation and regulation of various immune cells. This promoted infiltration of active immune cells into the tumor microenvironment is an important feature of many immunotherapies. It is marked by glycolysis signatures and adenosine-inosine metabolism.

Citation Format: Lauranne Poncelet, Rima Ait-Belkacem, Bruno Gomes, Stefan Linehan, Gregory Hamm, Jonathan Stauber. Impact of IDO inhibitor on tryptophan and kynurenine pathway reflected in the tumor microenvironment and highlighted using quantitative mass spectrometry imaging [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3512.