[HTML][HTML] T cells engineered against a native antigen can surmount immunologic and physical barriers to treat pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

IM Stromnes, TM Schmitt, A Hulbert, JS Brockenbrough… - Cancer cell, 2015 - cell.com
IM Stromnes, TM Schmitt, A Hulbert, JS Brockenbrough, HN Nguyen, C Cuevas, AM Dotson…
Cancer cell, 2015cell.com
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAs) erect physical barriers to chemotherapy and
induce multiple mechanisms of immune suppression, creating a sanctuary for unimpeded
growth. We tested the ability of T cells engineered to express an affinity-enhanced T cell
receptor (TCR) against a native antigen to overcome these barriers in a genetically
engineered model of autochthonous PDA. Engineered T cells preferentially accumulate in
PDA and induce tumor cell death and stromal remodeling. However, tumor-infiltrating T cells …
Summary
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAs) erect physical barriers to chemotherapy and induce multiple mechanisms of immune suppression, creating a sanctuary for unimpeded growth. We tested the ability of T cells engineered to express an affinity-enhanced T cell receptor (TCR) against a native antigen to overcome these barriers in a genetically engineered model of autochthonous PDA. Engineered T cells preferentially accumulate in PDA and induce tumor cell death and stromal remodeling. However, tumor-infiltrating T cells become progressively dysfunctional, a limitation successfully overcome by serial T cell infusions that resulted in a near-doubling of survival without overt toxicities. Similarly engineered human T cells lyse PDA cells in vitro, further supporting clinical advancement of this TCR-based strategy for the treatment of PDA.
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