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Antisense targeting of CD47 enhances human cytotoxic T-cell activity and increases survival of mice bearing B16 melanoma when combined with anti-CTLA4 and tumor irradiation

Authors: 
Schwartz AL, Nath PR, Allgauer M, Lessey-Morillon EC, Sipes JM, Ridnour LA, Morillon Ii YM, Yu Z, Restifo NP, Roberts DD
Citation: 
Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2019 Oct 18. doi: 10.1007/s00262-019-02397-7. [Epub ahead of print]
Abstract: 
Antibodies targeting the T-cell immune checkpoint cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA4) enhance the effectiveness of radiotherapy for melanoma patients, but many remain resistant. To further improve response rates, we explored combining anti-CTLA4 blockade with antisense suppression of CD47, an inhibitory receptor on T cells that limit T-cell receptor signaling and killing of irradiated target cells. Human melanoma data from The Cancer Genome Atlas revealed positive correlations between CD47 mRNA expression and expression of T-cell regulators including CTLA4 and its counter receptors CD80 and CD86. Antisense suppression of CD47 on human T cells in vitro using a translational blocking morpholino (CD47 m) alone or combined with anti-CTLA4 enhanced antigen-dependent killing of irradiated melanoma cells. Correspondingly, the treatment of locally irradiated B16F10 melanomas in C57BL/6 mice using combined blockade of CD47 and CTLA4 significantly increased the survival of mice relative to either treatment alone. CD47 m alone or in combination with anti-CTLA4 increased CD3+ T-cell infiltration in irradiated tumors. Anti-CTLA4 also increased CD3+ and CD8+ T-cell infiltration as well as markers of NK cells in non-irradiated tumors. Anti-CTLA4 combined with CD47 m resulted in the greatest increase in intratumoral granzyme B, interferon-γ, and NK-cell marker mRNA expression. These data suggest that combining CTLA4 and CD47 blockade could provide a survival benefit by enhancing adaptive T- and NK-cell immunity in irradiated tumors.
Epub: 
Yes
Organism or Cell Type: 
cell culture: human T cells; C57BL/6 mice with B16F10 melanomas
Delivery Method: 
oligo bathing; injection