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Tregs constrain CD8+ T cell priming required for curative intratumorally anchored anti-4-1BB immunotherapy

Palmeri, J. R.; Lax, B. M.; Peters, J. M.; Duhamel, L. R.; Stinson, J. A.; Santollani, L.; Lutz, E. A.; Pinney, W.; Bryson, B. D.; Wittrup, K. D.

2023-02-01 immunology
10.1101/2023.01.30.526116 bioRxiv
Show abstract

Although co-stimulation of T cells with agonist antibodies targeting 4-1BB (CD137) improves antitumor immune responses in preclinical studies, clinical development has been hampered by on-target, off-tumor toxicity. Here, we report the development of a tumor-anchored 4-1BB agonist (4-1BB-LAIR), which consists of an 4-1BB antibody fused to the collagen binding protein LAIR. While combination treatment with an antitumor antibody (TA99) displayed only modest efficacy, simultaneous depletion of CD4+ T cells boosted cure rates to over 90% of mice. We elucidated two mechanisms of action for this synergy: CD4 eliminated tumor draining lymph node Tregs, enhancing priming and activation of CD8+ T cells, and TA99 + 4-1BB-LAIR supported the cytotoxic program of these newly primed CD8+ T cells within the tumor microenvironment. Replacement of CD4 with CTLA-4, a clinically approved antibody that enhances T cell priming, produced equivalent cure rates while additionally generating robust immunological memory against secondary tumor rechallenge. One Sentence SummaryInhibition of nodal Tregs enhances CD8+ T cell priming, improving antitumor responses to collagen-anchored 4-1BB combination therapy.

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