Characterization of neoantigen-specific T cells in cancer resistant to immune checkpoint therapies

Abstract

Strongly implicated in effective antitumor immune responses, tumor mutation–derived antigens, or neoantigens, are one of the main targets for cancer vaccines despite uncertainty of the efficacy of this approach. Using a high-throughput screening method, we identify an endogenously immunogenic neoantigen in a commonly used mouse lung tumor model. We also found that the endogenous CD8 T cells specific for this neoantigen expand greatly upon treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors or vaccination despite the lack of associated tumor regression in this model. In addition to informing neoantigen vaccination strategies and providing an accessible system for testing alternative therapeutics, our results provide insights into the mechanisms for the lack of response observed for a majority of patients treated with checkpoint blockade immunotherapies.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jul 20, 2021
Source ID
10.1073/pnas.2025570118

Entities

People

  • Alec J Redwood
  • Anthony Cessna
  • Austin M Gabel
  • Bruce W Robinson
  • Evan W Newell
  • Jenette Creaney
  • Jonathan Chee
  • Laura Islas
  • Robert K. Bradley
  • Shamin Li
  • Shaokang Ma
  • Summer Zhuang
  • Yannick Simoni

Organizations

  • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
  • Institute for Respiratory Health
  • Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
  • United States Department of Defense
  • University of Washington
  • University of Western Australia

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Medicine

Readers

  • Immunology
  • Molecular and genetic basis of cancer.
  • Oncology and Biomarker-Based Cancer Detection.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biotechnology - Cancer Biotech