Donor-derived allogeneic T cells evoke potent graft versus tumor (GVT) effects likely due to the simultaneous recognition of tumor-specific and host-restricted minor histocompatibility (H) antigens. Here we investigated whether such effects could be reproduced in autologous settings by TCR gene-engineered lymphocytes. We report that T cells redirected either to a broadly expressed Y-encoded minor H antigen or to a tumor-associated antigen, although poorly effective if individually transferred, when simultaneously administered enabled acute autochthonous tumor debulking and resulted in durable clinical remission. Y-redirected T cells proved hyporesponsive in peripheral lymphoid organs, whereas they retained effector function at the tumor site, where in synergy with tumor-redirected lymphocytes, they instructed TNFα expression, endothelial cell activation, and intratumoral T-cell infiltration. While neutralizing TNFα hindered GVT effects by the combined T-cell infusion, a single injection of picogram amounts of NGR-TNF, a tumor vessel-targeted TNFα derivative currently in phase III clinical trials, substituted for Y-redirected cells and enabled tumor debulking by tumor-redirected lymphocytes. Together, our results provide new mechanistic insights into allogeneic GVT, validate the importance of targeting the tumor and its associated stroma, and prove the potency of a novel combined approach suitable for immediate clinical implementation.

doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-16-0725, hdl.handle.net/1765/98023
Cancer Research
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Manzo, T., Sturmheit, T., Basso, V., Petrozziello, E., Michelini, R. H., Riba, M., … Mondino, A. (2017). T cells redirected to a minor histocompatibility antigen instruct intratumoral TNFα expression and empower adoptive cell therapy for solid tumors. Cancer Research, 77(3), 658–671. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-16-0725