The production of CD73-derived adenosine (Ado) by Tregs has been proposed as a resistance mechanism to anti-PD-1 therapy in murine tumor models. We reported that human Tregs express the ectonucleotidase CD39, which generates AMP from ATP, but do not express the AMPase CD73. In contrast, CD73 defined a subset of effector CD4⁺ T cells (Teffs) enriched in polyfunctional Th1.17 cells characterized by expression of CXCR3, CCR6, and MDR1, and production of IL17A/IFNγ/IL22/GM-CSF. CD39⁺ Tregs selectively targeted CD73⁺ Teffs through cooperative degradation of ATP into Ado inhibiting and restricting the ability of CD73⁺ Teffs to secrete IL17A. CD73⁺ Teffs infiltrating breast and ovarian tumors were functionally blunted by Tregs expressing upregulated levels of CD39 and ATPase activity. Moreover, tumor-infiltrating CD73⁺ Teffs failed to express inhibitory immune checkpoints, suggesting that CD73 might be selected under pressure from immune checkpoint blockade therapy and thus may represent a nonredundant target for restoring antitumor immunity.

Significance: Polyfunctional CD73⁺ T-cell effectors lacking other immune checkpoints are selectively targeted by CD39 overexpressing Tregs that dominate the breast tumor environment. Cancer Res; 78(13); 3604–18. ©2018 AACR.