Systemic CTLA-4 blockade ameliorates glioma-induced changes to the CD4+ T cell compartment without affecting regulatory T-cell function

  • Clin Cancer Res. 2007 Apr 1;13(7):2158-67. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-06-2070.
Peter E Fecci  1 ,  Hidenobu Ochiai ,  Duane A Mitchell ,  Peter M Grossi ,  Alison E Sweeney ,  Gary E Archer ,  Thomas Cummings ,  James P Allison ,  Darell D Bigner ,  John H Sampson
Affiliations
  • 1. Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
PMID: 17404100 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-06-2070
Abstract

Purpose: Patients with malignant Glioma suffer global compromise of their cellular immunity, characterized by dramatic reductions in CD4(+) T cell numbers and function. We have previously shown that increased regulatory T cell (T(reg)) fractions in these patients explain T-cell functional deficits. Our murine Glioma model recapitulates these findings. Here, we investigate the effects of systemic CTLA-4 blockade in this model.

Experimental design: A monoclonal antibody (9H10) to CTLA-4 was employed against well-established Glioma. Survival and risks for experimental allergic encephalomyelitis were assessed, as were CD4(+) T cell numbers and function in the peripheral blood, spleen, and cervical Lymph Nodes. The specific capacities for anti-CTLA-4 to modify the functions of regulatory versus CD4(+)CD25(-) responder T cells were evaluated.

Results: CTLA-4 blockade confers long-term survival in 80% of treated mice, without eliciting experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. Changes to the CD4 compartment were reversed, as anti-CTLA-4 reestablishes normal CD4 counts and abrogates increases in CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+)GITR(+) regulatory T cell fraction observed in tumor-bearing mice. CD4(+) T-cell proliferative capacity is restored and the cervical lymph node antitumor response is enhanced. Treatment benefits are bestowed exclusively on the CD4(+)CD25(-) T cell population and not T(regs), as CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells from treated mice show improved proliferative responses and resistance to T(reg)-mediated suppression, whereas T(regs) from the same mice remain anergic and exhibit no restriction of their suppressive capacity.

Conclusions: CTLA-4 blockade is a rational means of reversing glioma-induced changes to the CD4 compartment and enhancing antitumor immunity. These benefits were attained through the conferment of resistance to T(reg)-mediated suppression, and not through direct effects on T(regs).

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