Abstract 63: Chimeric antigen receptor macrophages (CAR-M) induce anti-tumor immunity and synergize with T cell checkpoint inhibitors in pre-clinical solid tumor models
Authors: Pierini Stefano , Gabbasov Rashid , Gabitova Linara , Ohtani Yumi , Shestova Olga , Gill Saar , Abramson Sascha , Condamine Thomas , Klichinsky Michael 
Published: July 2021

Despite the remarkable efficacy achieved by CAR-T cell therapy in hematologic malignancies, translating these results in solid tumors remains challenging. We previously developed human CAR-M and demonstrated that adoptive cell transfer of CAR-M into xenograft models of human cancer controls tumor progression and improves overall survival1. Herein, we established a fully immunocompetent syngeneic mouse model and evaluated the interaction of CAR-M with the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the endogenous adaptive immune system. Murine bone marrow-derived CAR-expressing macrophages (muCAR-M) were efficiently engineered to express an anti-huHER2 CAR using the chimeric adenoviral vector Ad5f35. MuCAR-M, but not control untransduced (UTD) macrophages, specifically phagocytosed HER2+ target cancer cell lines and killed HER2-expressing murine CT26 colorectal and human AU-565 (HER2+) breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, CAR-M induced MHC-I and MHC-II expression on tumor cells and cross-presented tumor-associated antigens (TAA) resulting in CD8 T cell activation. To evaluate muCAR-M in an immunocompetent in vivo setting, BALB/c mice were engrafted with subcutaneous CT26-HER2+ tumors and treated with HER2-CAR or UTD macrophages. CAR-M treated mice showed significant tumor control and improved survival compared to control groups. Analysis of the TME showed increased intratumoral immune infiltration - as well as an increase in T cells reactive to the CT26 MHC-I antigen gp70, indicating enhanced epitope spreading. Mice that achieved complete responses (CRs) after CAR-M therapy were protected against antigen-negative relapse in a HER2- CT26 rechallenge model, indicating the induction of long-term T cell memory against TAA. To evaluate the systemic anti-tumor immune response, we simultaneously engrafted BALB/c mice with CT26-HER2+ and CT26-Wt tumors on opposite flanks and treated mice with local administration of CAR-M restricted to the HER2+ tumors. After CAR-M treatment, 75% of mice cleared their CT26-HER2+ tumors and the growth rate of the contralateral CT26-Wt tumors was significantly reduced, demonstrating an abscopal effect. Given the impact of CAR-M on the endogenous adaptive immune system, we evaluated the combination of CAR-M with PD1 checkpoint inhibitor therapy in the CT26-HER2 model, which is resistant to anti-PD1 monotherapy, and found that the combination further improved tumor control and overall survival. These results demonstrate that CAR-M reprogram the TME, induce epitope spreading, and orchestrate a systemic immune response against solid tumors. Moreover, our findings provide rationale for the combination of CAR-M with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The anti-HER2 CAR-M, CT-0508, is under evaluation in a phase I clinical trial for patients with HER2 overexpressing solid tumors.

Citation Format: Stefano Pierini, Rashid Gabbasov, Linara Gabitova, Yumi Ohtani, Olga Shestova, Saar Gill, Sascha Abramson, Thomas Condamine, Michael Klichinsky. Chimeric antigen receptor macrophages (CAR-M) induce anti-tumor immunity and synergize with T cell checkpoint inhibitors in pre-clinical solid tumor models [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 63.