Mechanism and Therapeutic Reversal of Immune Suppression in Cancer (2007)

The last decades were characterized by substantial progress in our understanding of the role of the immune system in tumor progression. This raised high expectations that immunotherapy would provide a breakthrough in cancer treatment. However, these expectations have not yet materialized. It became increasingly clear that tumor-induced abnormalities in the immune system not only hamper natural tumor immune surveillance, but also limit the effect of cancer immunotherapy. Thus, it is critically important to understand the mechanisms of tumor-induced immune suppression to make any progress in this area. The conference on the “Mechanism and Therapeutic Reversal of Immune Suppression in Cancer” that took place in Clearwater Beach, Florida, January 25 to 28, 2007, was the first of its kind to be focused entirely on the discussion of different mechanisms of immune suppression in cancer and therapeutic approaches to their correction. This conference was part of a biannual conference series on “Molecular Targets in Cancer” from H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute at the University of South Florida, Tampa, FL. A total of 249 researchers from 23 countries participated in lively discussions of basic science research as well as new developments in the clinic. This conference provided participants with the opportunity to integrate ideas in true translational fashion.The meeting began with a discussion of the historical perspective of cancer immunotherapy from bench to bedside (1). The concept of “checkpoint blockades” was described as the body's attempt at preventing autoimmunity and thereby thwarting attempts at harnessing the immune system in the eradication of cancer. [Cancer Res 2007;67(11):5067–9]Suppressor cells in cancer are a heterogeneous population. Suppressor cell populations were identified as therapeutic cellular targets including myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), regulatory T cells (Treg), tumor stromal cells, natural killer T cells (NKT), endothelial cells, and B cells.Bone-marrow–derived Gr-1+CD11b+ immature myeloid cells, termed myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), normally found in low numbers in lymphoid organs, accumulate in tumor-bearing mice with the ability to suppress T-cell function (2–5). The session began with a report on a novel mechanism of direct MDSC interaction with CD8+ T cells to achieve immunosuppression. MDSC blocked the binding of specific peptides to CD8+ T cells by nitrating T-cell receptors (TCR), thereby impairing interaction with MHC class I:peptide complexes. Another population of suppressor cells, an inflammatory-type CD11b+IL4Rα+, are also expanded in tumor-bearing mice and mediate their function via nitric oxide synthase and arginase. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors alone or in combination with vaccines delayed tumor progression, down-regulated MDSC, and reversed peptide-specific T-cell tolerance in these mice. Data were also presented supporting the role of CD11b+CD14− MDSC in cancer patients. Furthermore, it was theorized that MDSC starve T cells of arginine, and that cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors could decrease arginase and attenuate tumor growth in mice. It was also shown that interleukin-1β (IL-1β) secreted by tumors induced the accumulation of MDSC, and that cross-talk between MDSC and macrophages polarized immunity toward a tumor-promoting type 2 T-cell response.Intervention strategies targeting MDSC were also described. Treatment of prostate cancer patients with all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) decreased the presence of MDSC and increased effector T-cell responses. In patients with renal cell carcinoma, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase receptors (sunitinib) decreased the level of T regulatory cells (Treg) as well as MDSC. A combination of sunitinib with tumor vaccines was proposed.Tregs, in which normal function is to prevent autoimmunity, can also function to suppress antitumor immunity (6). The role of FoxP3+ Tregs in tumor escape was examined. Conditional FoxP3 knock-out mice showed that a significant number of T cells recognize self-antigen but are normally suppressed by Tregs. Removal of Tregs by FoxP3 deletion led to increased expansion and activation of CD11c+CD11b+ dendritic cells (DC). CD40L and OX-40 expression play an important role in Treg function. Additionally, MDSC were shown to induce the development of Tregs in tumor-bearing mice. MDSC from CD40−/− mice lost the capacity to induce Tregs, implicating CD40/CD40L interactions between the two cell types. The difference between natural versus inducible Tregs was also discussed, and it was suggested that it is the inducible population which contributes to immune suppression in cancer. It was noted that most of the therapeutic vaccines also expand Treg density and may limit the utility of vaccination. Therefore, depletion or manipulation of Tregs in combination with vaccination may be required.Clinical trials that target Tregs were discussed in several presentations. Data were presented from a phase III clinical trial that targets CTL-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) expressed on Tregs and from a phase II trial using anti–CTLA-4 combined with peptide vaccination. Clinical responses were correlated with immune breakthrough events. PD-1 is also expressed on Tregs and is the focus of phase I trials. A phase I trial to deplete Tregs using Ontak in combination with vaccination in ovarian cancer was also described. Tregs were depleted in six of seven patients; however, concurrent depletion of T effector cells was noted as well. Additionally, Ontak was used combined with a dendritic cell vaccine in renal carcinoma patients. The level of Tregs was reduced, although it rebounded after the end of treatment.In addition to MDSC and Tregs, other cell types were identified that modulate immune responses. Tumor stroma can persist even after the removal of tumor cells and can contribute to immunosuppression (7). The importance of targeting tumor stroma antigens, which can be released after chemotherapy or radiation, was discussed. In a mouse model, CD8+ T cells recognized antigen-loaded stromal cells but not cancer cells. A novel role for NKT in tumor tolerance was also discussed (8). A subset of NKT1 cells was identified, which recognizes CD1d and aids in tumor rejection, whereas its counterpart, NKT2, which recognizes sulfatide, aids in tumor recurrence. Additionally, a unique form of tolerance in CD8+ T cells due to B cells was described in a process that uncouples the TCR from downstream signaling events. Finally, the imbalance between antigen-presenting cells, costimulatory molecules B7-H1, B7-H4, and Tregs was discussed.Molecular targets regulating immune suppression included nitric oxide synthase, arginase, indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT), and others.IDO, an enzyme necessary for tryptophan degradation, is highly expressed in many cancers (9). Mouse models were presented where immunization effectively eliminated IDO-negative tumors, but transfection of IDO into these tumor lines allowed for tumor escape due to suppression of antigen-specific T cells. The IDO inhibitor, 1-methyl-l-tryptophan, partially restored CTL responses. The role of IDO in DC immunosuppression was addressed in several reports. 1-Methyl-l-tryptophan could restore positive DC interaction with T cells. A hypothesis was presented that activated Tregs are inducing IDO in dendritic cells. Additionally, Bin1 regulates IDO expression via the STAT/NF-κB pathway by suppressing tumor growth. Hence, the use of IDO inhibitors, and manipulating IDO pathways, may offer novel approaches in the clinic.Both STAT-1 and STAT-3 signaling have been implicated in tumor development (10, 11). Tumor escape mechanisms in STAT-1−/− mice, which develop spontaneous tumors similar to human ductal breast carcinoma, were reported. It was also shown that STAT3 might trap NF-κB in the nucleus, thereby redirecting transcription from immunostimulatory genes toward oncogenes. Abnormal STAT-3 signaling was identified in the inhibitory effects of IL-10 on DC maturation and migration. Silencing STAT-3 with short hairpin RNAs led to the restoration of a normal DC stimulatory phenotype. Overexpression of STAT-3 in DCs impaired CD4+ T-cell function, whereas STAT-3−/− DCs reversed T-cell tolerance. Small molecule inhibition of STAT-3 using curcubitacin analogues broke tolerance, further implicating STAT-3 as a negative regulator.In addressing the tumor microenvironment, it was noted that the loss of chemokines prevents DCs from homing to the tumor site. It was also reported that the alteration of phospholipid expression on the tumor cell membrane could reduce the immunosuppressive effect of the tumor on DC survival and function. A new method of altering the tumor microenvironment and thereby attract lymphoid cells, by delivering LIGHT (a member of the tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily) to mouse tumors, was described. Treatment, alone or in combination with vaccination, led to T-cell and dendritic cell infiltration into the tumor and subsequent tumor rejection. Data were also presented on silencing of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS1) in dendritic cells. These cells were able to break tolerance in mouse models and allowed vaccination to reject tumors.Emerging evidence of the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment has led to new strategies to enhance vaccine therapy of cancer. It was reported that combining peptide vaccination with CPG and CD25+ Treg depletion completely abolished established tumors in mice. Epitope spreading was suggested in this model. Additionally, a “super booster” was presented which combined peptide vaccination with toll-like receptor agonists and CD40 antibodies. CpG-ODN fused with anti–Her-2/neu antibody also induced tumor rejection in Her-2/neu mice. Additionally, the results of a phase II clinical trial of combination vaccine/adoptive T cell transfer for renal cell carcinoma were reported. Patients, prevaccinated with lethally irradiated tumor cells, followed by CD3 antibody-expanded autologous post-vaccine T cells, showed complete or partial responses for >4 years. The next step will use CD28 and CD3 antibodies for better T-cell expansion.The results from DC vaccines in melanoma patients were discussed, and it was suggested that Langerhans cells might be a better target for stimulating CD8+ T cells. The different mechanisms by which DCs and Langerhans cells process antigen were addressed and suggested that targeting the phosphoinositide-3-kinase pathway could boost vaccination attempts. In a phase I trial, agonist CD40 antibodies were used to boost APC responses, resulting in partial responses in 4 of 32 patients and stable disease in 7 patients. The main adverse effect was cytokine release syndrome indicating immune stimulation. Naturally occurring immunity against the tumor antigens MUC-1 and cyclin B1 was also explored (12). Although MUC-1 has been used in vaccination protocols, the success rate is only 20% in cancer patients. However, there is evidence for natural development of anti–MUC-1 antibodies, and thus, there is potential for a protective vaccine targeting this antigen, thereby providing a natural boost against cancer development.Although initially counterintuitive, immunosuppressive chemotherapy and radiation treatments nevertheless seem to synergize with vaccination to produce a greater therapeutic benefit than either approach alone. A method was introduced that led to tumor rejection through small molecule inhibition of transforming growth factor β receptor kinase (SM16, BiogenIdec). Combination of SM16 with either adenovirally delivered IFNβ or lymphocyte adoptive transfer in mice showed synergistic effects, as SM16 altered the tumor microenvironment and allowed for enhanced efficacy of the other treatments. Gemcitabine was also used to alter the tumor microenvironment and, combined with anti–glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor antibodies plus immunization against Her-2/Neu in mice, broke tolerance to stimulate tumor antigen-specific CD8+ CTL.It was reported that a p53 DC vaccine combined with traditional chemotherapy in a phase I/II trial for small cell lung cancer resulted in a significant increase in median survival and responses to second-line chemotherapy compared with historical controls with chemotherapy alone (13). The next aim will be to combine vaccination with ATRA to target MDSC. Another trial used granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor–secreting allogeneic pancreatic tumor cells as a vaccine, with some pancreatic cancer patients also receiving radiation or chemotherapy (14). Median survival was significantly increased compared with chemotherapy regimens alone. Mesothelin was identified as a target antigen from these trials.The meeting closed with a lively round table discussion targeting several key topics. The antigenicity/immunogenicity of tumors was described as typically weak and, therefore, has limited the efficacy of vaccination protocols. Future protocols should target multiple epitopes to enhance immune responses and to combine different treatment paradigms to further boost efficacy. Patients, which have experienced remission after vaccination, represent an opportunity to explore the immune response to tumor-associated antigens. Additionally, the role of the various arms of immune suppression in cancer was discussed, and much remains to be learned about the heterogeneous population of suppressor cells, as well as their function in various tissue types and cancers. However, there is a clear need for clinical testing of some of the therapeutic strategies to reverse tumor-induced immune suppression. Finally, how should we proceed with vaccinating patients? It was agreed that timing and choice of combination therapies are key to remission and cure of cancer.Grant support: NIH 1R13CA126360 to D.I. Gabrilovitch.The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. This article must therefore be hereby marked advertisement in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.