Crosstalk among T-cell CX3CR1, immune checkpoints and toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway in BCG-unresponsive nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer: Mechanism of action of OncoTherad Nano-Immunotherapy.

Authors

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João Carlos Cardoso Alonso

Paulínia Municipal Hospital, São Paulo, Paulinia, Brazil

João Carlos Cardoso Alonso , Bianca Ribeiro de Souza , Giovana Leme , Ianny Brum Reis , Juliana Mattoso Gonçalves , Adriano Angelo Cintra , Leandro Luiz Lopes de Freitas , Fabio Gomes Pereira , Athanase Billis , Wagner José Fávaro

Organizations

Paulínia Municipal Hospital, São Paulo, Paulinia, Brazil, Laboratory of Urogenital Carcinogenesis and Immunotherapy (LCURGIM), Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology-University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil, Laboratory of Urogenital Carcinogenesis and Immunotherapy, Institute of Biology - University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil, Laboratory of Urogenital Carcinogenesis and Immunotherapy, School of Medicine, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Campinas, Brazil, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil, Instituto Do Cancer Do Estado De Sao Paulo-Brazil ICESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Laboratory of Urogenital Carcinogenesis and Immunotherapy (LCURGIM), Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil

Research Funding

Other Government Agency

Background: This study detailed and characterized the mechanisms of action of OncoTherad nano-immunotherapy based on modulation of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway, CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1, a marker of T-cell differentiation) and immune checkpoints in patients with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Methods: A single-center open-label (Paulinia Municipal Hospital, Brazil) and single-arm phase 1/2 study (Clinical Trial: RBR-6swqd2) was applied in 44 patients (30 male and 14 female) with BCG-unresponsive NMIBC (≥ 1 prior course of BCG therapy) submitted to OncoTherad immunotherapy for 24 months. Patient follow-ups were performed with systematic mapping biopsies of the bladder every 3 months for the first year and every 6 months thereafter for up to 2 years. Bladder biopsies of each patient (n = 44) were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (initial biopsy, before OncoTherad treatment); and Group 2 (bladder biopsy after OncoTherad treatment). Subsequently, the samples were submitted to immunohistochemistry analysis: TLR4-mediated IFN-γ production signaling pathway (TRIF, TBK1, IRF-3), CX3CR1+CD8+ T-cells, immune checkpoints (PD-1/PD-L1 CTLA-4) and Regulatory T cells (FOXP3). Results: After 24-months follow-up, pathological complete response rate was 72.7% (95% CI) and recurrence-free survival of 21.4 months. Bladder samples from patients submitted to OncoTherad treatment (Group 2) showed intensified TLR4, TRIF, TBK1, IRF-3 and IFN-γ immunoreactivities when compared (p < 0.01) to initial biopsies (Group 1). Furthermore, as result of interferon signaling pathway (TRIF-dependent pathway) induction by OncoTherad, intensified CX3CR1 immunoreactivities (p < 0.01) were found in the Group 2. In contrast, PD-1/PD-L1 immunoreactivities were decreased (p < 0.01) in the Group 2 when compared to Group 1. No statistical differences were found between the two groups for FOXP3 and CTLA4. Conclusions: OncoTherad nano-immunotherapy led to activation of TLR4-mediated innate immune system, resulting in increased interferon signaling pathway, which was fundamental in the activation of antitumor CD8+ T-cells and decrease of PD-1/PD-L1 expression in the bladder microenvironment. These important findings are relevant concerning the treatment of patients with NMIBC presenting high-risk of progression that are BCG-unresponsive.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2022 ASCO Annual Meeting

Session Type

Publication Only

Session Title

Genitourinary Cancer—Kidney and Bladder

Track

Genitourinary Cancer—Kidney and Bladder

Sub Track

Urothelial Cancer - Local-Regional Disease

Citation

J Clin Oncol 40, 2022 (suppl 16; abstr e16551)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2022.40.16_suppl.e16551

Abstract #

e16551

Abstract Disclosures