Systemic inhibition of transforming growth factor-beta in glioma-bearing mice improves the therapeutic efficacy of glioma-associated antigen peptide vaccines

Clin Cancer Res. 2009 Nov 1;15(21):6551-9. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-09-1067. Epub 2009 Oct 27.

Abstract

Purpose: A variety of cancers, including malignant gliomas, overexpress transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), which helps tumors evade effective immune surveillance through a variety of mechanisms, including inhibition of CD8(+) CTLs and enhancing the generation of regulatory T (T(reg)) cells. We hypothesized that inhibition of TGF-beta would improve the efficacy of vaccines targeting glioma-associated antigen (GAA)-derived CTL epitopes by reversal of immunosuppression.

Experimental design: Mice bearing orthotopic GL261 gliomas were treated systemically with a TGF-beta-neutralizing monoclonal antibody, 1D11, with or without s.c. vaccinations of synthetic peptides for GAA-derived CTL epitopes, GARC-1 (77-85) and EphA2 (671-679), emulsified in incomplete Freund's adjuvant.

Results: Mice receiving the combination regimen exhibited significantly prolonged survival compared with mice receiving either 1D11 alone, GAA vaccines alone, or mock treatments alone. TGF-beta neutralization enhanced the systemic induction of antigen-specific CTLs in glioma-bearing mice. Flow cytometric analyses of brain-infiltrating lymphocytes revealed that 1D11 treatment suppressed phosphorylation of Smad2, increased GAA-reactive/IFN-gamma-producing CD8(+) T cells, and reduced CD4(+)/FoxP3(+) T(reg) cells in the glioma microenvironment. Neutralization of TGF-beta also upregulated plasma levels of interleukin-12, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha, and IFN-inducible protein-10, suggesting a systemic promotion of type-1 cytokine/chemokine production. Furthermore, 1D11 treatment upregulated plasma interleukin-15 levels and promoted the persistence of GAA-reactive CD8(+) T cells in glioma-bearing mice.

Conclusions: These data suggest that systemic inhibition of TGF-beta by 1D11 can reverse the suppressive immunologic environment of orthotopic tumor-bearing mice both systemically and locally, thereby enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of GAA vaccines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology*
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Brain Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Glioma / immunology*
  • Glioma / therapy*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / immunology*
  • Vaccines, Subunit / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Cancer Vaccines
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Vaccines, Subunit