Suppression of myeloid derived suppressor cells and immune checkpoint blockade
Impressive responses have been observed in patients treated with checkpoint inhibitory anti-PD-1 or anti-CTLA-4 antibodies. However, immunotherapy against poorly immunogenic cancers remains a challenge. Treatment with both anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies were unable to eradicate large, modestly immunogenic CT26 tumors or metastatic 4T1 tumors. However, co-treatment with epigenetic modulating drugs and checkpoint inhibitors markedly improved treatment outcomes, curing more than 80% of them. Functional studies revealed that the primary targets of the epigenetic modulators were myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). A PI3K-inhibitor that reduced circulating MDSCs also cured 80% of mice with metastatic 4T1 tumors when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Thus, cancers resistant to immune checkpoint blockade can be cured by eliminating MDSCs.