Regulatory T-cell Transcriptomic Reprogramming Characterizes Adverse Events by Checkpoint Inhibitors in Solid Tumors

Cancer Immunol Res. 2021 Jul;9(7):726-734. doi: 10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-20-0969. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), which target immune regulatory pathways to unleash antitumor responses, have revolutionized cancer immunotherapy. Despite the remarkable success of ICI immunotherapy, a significant proportion of patients whose tumors respond to these treatments develop immune-related adverse events (irAE) resembling autoimmune diseases. Although the clinical spectrum of irAEs is well characterized, their successful management remains empiric. This is in part because the pathogenic mechanisms involved in the breakdown of peripheral tolerance and induction of irAEs remain elusive. Herein, we focused on regulatory T cells (Treg) in individuals with irAEs because these cells are vital for maintenance of peripheral tolerance, appear expanded in the peripheral blood of individuals with cancer, and abundantly express checkpoint molecules, hence representing direct targets of ICI immunotherapy. Our data demonstrate an intense transcriptomic reprogramming of CD4+CD25+CD127- Tregs in the blood of individuals with advanced metastatic melanoma who develop irAEs following ICI immunotherapy, with a characteristic inflammatory, apoptotic, and metabolic signature. This inflammatory signature was shared by Tregs from individuals with different types of cancer developing irAEs and individuals with autoimmune diseases. Our findings suggest that inflammatory Treg reprogramming is a feature of immunotherapy-induced irAEs, and this may facilitate translational approaches aiming to induce robust antitumor immunity without disturbing peripheral tolerance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / blood
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Immune Checkpoint Proteins / metabolism
  • Immune Tolerance / drug effects
  • Immune Tolerance / genetics
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Male
  • Melanoma / blood
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma / immunology
  • Melanoma / secondary
  • Middle Aged
  • RNA-Seq
  • Skin Neoplasms / blood
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • Transcriptome / drug effects*
  • Transcriptome / immunology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Immune Checkpoint Proteins