Despoina Aggouraki

Vaccination of Patients With Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer With an Optimized Cryptic Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Peptide

PURPOSE To evaluate the immunological and clinical response as well as the safety of the optimized peptide telomerase reverse transcriptase p572Y (TERT572Y) presented by HLA-A*0201 in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-two patients with advanced NSCLC and residual (n = 8) or progressive disease (PD; n = 14) following chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy received two subcutaneous injections of the optimized TERT572Y peptide followed by four injections of the native TERT572 peptide administered every 3 weeks. Peptide-specific immune responses were monitored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay and/or TERT572Y pentamer staining. RESULTS Twelve (54.5%) of 22 patients completed the vaccination program. Toxicity consisted primarily of local skin reactions. TERT572-specific CD8+ cells were detected in 16 (76.2%) of 21 patients after the second vaccination, and 10 (90.9%) of 11 patients after the sixth vaccination. Stable disease (SD) occurred in eight (36.4%) of 22 vaccinated patients, with three (13.6%) having had PD before entering the study. The median duration of SD was 11.2 months. After a median follow-up of 10.0 months, patients with early developed immunological response (n = 16) had a significantly longer time to progression and overall survival (OS) than nonresponders (n = 5; log-rank tests P = .046 and P = .012, respectively). The estimated median OS was 30.0 months (range, 2.8 to 40.0 months) and 4.1 months (range, 2.4 to 10.9 months) for responders and nonresponders, respectively. CONCLUSION TERT572Y peptide vaccine is well tolerated and effective in eliciting a specific T cell immunity. Immunological response is associated with prolonged survival. These results are encouraging and warrant further evaluation in a randomized study.

A phase II trial evaluating the clinical and immunologic response of HLA-A2 + non-small cell lung cancer patients vaccinated with an hTERT cryptic peptide

OBJECTIVES The immunological and clinical responses of patients with NSCLC treated, in the context of an expanded action program, with the cryptic hTERT-targeting Vx-001 vaccine are presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-six HLA-A*0201-positive patients with advanced NSCLC and residual (n=27) or progressive (n=19) disease following front-line treatment received two subcutaneous injections of the optimized TERT572Y peptide followed by four injections of the native TERT572 peptide, every 3 weeks. Peptide-specific immune responses were monitored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay at baseline, and after the 2nd and the 6th vaccinations. Thirty-eight HLA-A*0201-positive matched patients were used as historical controls. RESULTS Twenty-three patients (50%) completed the vaccination protocol and 87% received at least two administrations. Twelve patients (26%) without disease progression after the 6th vaccination received boost vaccinations. Three (7%) patients achieved a partial response and 13 (28%) disease stabilization. The disease control rate was significantly higher in patients with non-squamous histology compared to those with squamous-cell histology [n=14 (45%) versus n=2 (13%); p=0.03]. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was 3.8 (range, 0.7-99.4) and 19.8 months (range, 0.7-99.4), respectively. Patients who developed immune response had a numerically higher PFS compared to those who failed to mount any (6.7 versus 2.7 months; p=0.090). However, the median OS for the immune-responders was significantly prolonged compared to non-responders (40.0 versus 9.2 months, respectively; p=0.02). Toxicity was

Effect of First-Line Treatment on Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells’ Subpopulations in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Introduction: Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of immature cells of myeloid origin whose expression is induced by, among others things, vascular endothelial growth factor. We have previously identified two monocytic and one granulocytic MDSC subpopulations associated with the clinical outcome in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of chemotherapy on these MDSC subpopulations. Methods: Circulating immune cells from 46 patients with unresectable NSCLC were analyzed by flow cytometry before the initiation of chemotherapy and after three cycles. Changes in the frequencies of the MDSC subpopulations were correlated with clinical outcome. Results: Chemotherapy had no uniform effect on either the number or the functionality of monocytic and granulocytic MDSCs. However, three cycles of bevacizumab‐containing regimens significantly reduced the percentage of the granulocytic‐MDSCs compared with non–bevacizumab‐based regimens (p = 0.0086). At the time of evaluation of response, disease progression was associated with significantly higher levels of all three MDSC subpopulations compared with in patients with disease control. In patients with disease progression after three cycles of chemotherapy, the percentage of CD15‐positive monocytic MDSCs was significantly increased compared with baseline. Conclusions: In the peripheral blood of patients with NSCLC, bevacizumab‐based chemotherapy significantly reduced the levels of granulocytic MDSCs. An increase in the levels of CD15‐positive monocytic MDSCs was associated with poor response to treatment and disease progression, providing evidence of their clinical relevance in patients with NSCLC.

Prognostic value of circulating regulatory T cell subsets in untreated non-small cell lung cancer patients

The role of the different circulating regulatory T-cells (Treg) subsets, as well as their correlation with clinical outcome of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients is poorly understood. Peripheral blood from 156 stage III/IV chemotherapy-naive NSCLC patients and 31 healthy donors (HD) was analyzed with flow cytometry for the presence and functionality of CD4+ Treg subsets (naive, effector and terminal effector). Their frequencies were correlated with the clinical outcome. All CD4+ Treg subsets exhibited highly suppressive activity by TGF-β and IL-10 production. The percentages of naive Treg were found elevated in NSCLC patients compared to HD and were associated with poor clinical outcome, whereas the percentage of terminal effector Treg was lower compared to HD and higher levels were correlated with improved clinical response. At baseline, normal levels of naive and effector Treg were associated with longer overall survival (OS) compared to high levels, while the high frequency of the terminal effector Treg was correlated with longer Progression-Free Survival and OS. It is demonstrated, for first time, that particular CD4+ Treg subtypes are elevated in NSCLC patients and their levels are associated to the clinical outcome. The blocking of their migration to the tumor site may be an effective therapeutic strategy.

Sequential Administration of the Native TERT572 Cryptic Peptide Enhances the Immune Response Initiated by its Optimized Variant TERT572Y in Cancer Patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the best administration of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT572), an human leukocyte antigen-A*0201-restricted cryptic epitope of telomerase, and its optimized variant TERT572Y to elicit specific T cell immune responses in cancer patients. Forty-eight cancer patients with chemo-resistant tumors received 2 subcutaneous injections of TERT572Y at 2 mg followed at random by 4 subcutaneous injections of either TERT572 or TERT572Y peptides at 2 mg every 3 weeks. Specific immune response was evaluated by interferon-&ggr; enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot. T cell responses after the sixth vaccination were detected more frequently (44% vs. 17%), and with higher number of peptide-specific reactive T cells (60 T cells/2×105 peripheral blood mononuclear cell vs. 10 T cells/2×105 peripheral blood mononuclear cell, P=0.04), and higher avidity in the patients who received 4 more vaccinations with the TERT572 peptide compared with patients who received only TERT572Y vaccinations. These results demonstrate that the best vaccination schedule involves first the administration of the optimized TERT572Y followed by the native TERT572 peptides in patients who are candidates for cancer immunotherapy.

Evaluation of PD-L1/PD-1 on circulating tumor cells in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer:

Background: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) could escape from the immune system through the programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)/programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) axis leading to the development of metastasis. The current study investigated the expression of PD-1/PD-L1 on CTCs isolated from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with chemotherapy. Patients and methods: CTCs were isolated from 30 chemo-naïve stage IV NSCLC patients before and after front-line chemotherapy using the ISET filtration platform. CTCs were detected by Giemsa and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. Samples were analyzed with the ARIOL system. Results: Giemsa staining revealed that 28 (93.3%) out of 30 and 9 (81.8%) out of 11 patients had detectable CTCs at baseline and after the third chemotherapy cycle, respectively. Cytokeratin (CK)+/CD45- CTCs by IF could be detected in 17 of 30 (56.7%) patients at baseline and in 8 of 11 (72.7%) after the third chemotherapy cycle. Spearman analysis revealed a significant correlation (p = 0.001) between Giemsa-positive and IF-positive (CK+/CD45-) CTCs. At baseline, PD-1 and PD-L1 expression was observed in 53% and in 47% CK-positive patients, respectively. After the third treatment cycle the corresponding numbers were 13% and 63% respectively. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly shorter in patients with >3 PD-1(+) CTCs at baseline compared with those with <3 PD-1(+) CTCs (p = 0.022) as well as in patients with >1 Giemsa-positive tumor cells (p = 0.025). Conclusion: PD-1(+) and PD-L1(+) CTCs could be detected before and after front-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic NSCLC. The presence of high PD-1(+) CTC numbers before treatment is associated with a poor patient clinical outcome.

Abstract 1726: Evaluation of PD-L1/PD-1 on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and on primary tumor in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Introduction: Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) are responsible for the metastatic dissemination of the tumor. They have been shown to express Programmed Death-Ligand1 (PD-L1) to escape from the immune system surveillance through its ligation with the PD-1receptor on the surface of effector immune cells. We investigated the expression of PD-1/PD-L1 on CTCs isolated from NSCLC patients treated with chemotherapy. Methods: CTCs were isolated based on their size using the ISET platform from 30 stage IV chemo-naive NSCLC patients (before and after chemotherapy). CTCs were detected after staining with Giemsa and immunofluorescence (IF). Double and triple staining experiments with different combination of antibodies: [Cytokeratins(CK)/PD-1/CD45 and CK/PD-L1/CD45] were performed and the samples were analyzed with the ARIOL system. Results Giemsa staining showed that twenty-three (77%) out of 30 and six (54.5%) out of 11 patients had detectable CTCs at baseline and after the 3rd cycle of front-line chemotherapy. IF staining revealed seventeen out of 30 (56.7%) patients positive for CTCs at baseline level and 8 out of 11 (72.7%) samples after the 3rd cycle of treatment. PD-1 and PD-L1 expression was observed in 53% (9/17) and in 47% of the CTC-positive patients at baseline; in addition, 13% (1/8) and 63% (5/8) patients had PD-1 and PD-L1, respectively after the 3rd cycle. Among the total number of detected CTCs, 67% were PD-1(+) at baseline and 25% after the 3rd cycle (p=0.069). In addition, 26% and 80% were PD-L1(+) at baseline and after the 3rd cycle, respectively. Patients with more than 3 PD-1 positive CTCs showed shorter PFS (p=0.022). Primary tissue from ten of the examined patients was also available. More than 5% of PD-L1 (+) tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were observed in 20% (2/10) of the patients. More than 5% PD-L1 positive cells in the primary tumor were observed in 20%. However the two group of the patients were different. In addition both patients with PD-L1 (+) TILs harvested CTCs with PD-1 expression and one of them had also PD-L1 positive CTCs. Conclusion: PD-1- and PD-L1-positive CTCs could be detected before and during 1st line treatment in metastatic NSCLC. This expression was related to patients’ prognosis, implying that these molecules can be served as targets for metastasis restoration. Furthermore the expression of PD-1 on CTCs suggests a bilateral cross-talk between tumor and immune cells. Citation Format: Galaktea Kallergi, Eleni Kyriaki Vetsika, Despoina Aggouraki, Eleni Lagoudaki, Anastasios Koutsopoulos, Filippos Koinis, Panagiotis Katsarlinos, Maria Trypaki, Christos Stournaras, Vassilis Georgoulias, Athanasios Kotsakis. Evaluation of PD-L1/PD-1 on circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and on primary tumor in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1726. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1726

Abstract 1713: Transferrin receptor 1 (TfR) as marker for circulating tumor cells (CTCs) identification in NSCLC

CTCs are used as a surrogate source of tumor material in solid tumors. Clinical applications of CTCs as liquid biopsy comprise the monitoring of molecular alterations during tumor progression and dynamic evaluation of molecular markers of treatment response. The FDA-cleared method to isolate CTCs in cancer patients (Cell Search) is based on positive selection of EpCAM expressing cells. However, this approach performs poorly in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as it identifies CTCs in only 7% of the subjects, failing to show any prognostic relevance. Down-regulation/loss of epithelial markers to isolate (EpCAM) and identify (cytokeratin, CK) CTCs could in part explain the low CTC yield obtained in NSCLC with approaches based on epithelial markers expression. To overcome this challenge we used size-based CTC enrichment (ISET filters) from NSCLC patients’ peripheral blood. As a positive identifier of CTCs we used transferrin receptor 1 (TfR) which is a cell membrane-associated protein, that mediates intracellular iron uptake, and which is expressed at low levels in many normal tissues but over-expressed in cancer cells. We first analyzed TfR protein expression by immunofluorescence in a panel of NSCLC cell lines and in healthy donor leukocytes. While all NSCLC cells lines analyzed were positive for TfR expression, none of the leukocyte expressed the receptor. Moreover, TfR expression was detected also in EpCAM negative NSCLC cell lines. To determine the clinical applicability of this novel CTC identifier, we determined TfR expression in CTCs isolated from peripheral blood of 35 metastatic NSCLC patients using the ISET filter technology. The isolated CTCs were stained for TfR, CK, CD45 and DAPI. For each patient, one additional ISET filter was stained with Giemsa for morphologic analysis by a pathologist. By using the classic panel of CTC identifiers markers (CK+/CD45-/DAPI+), CTCs were identified in 4/34 (11%) patients, while by using TfR as positive identifier (TfR+/CD45-/DAPI+) CTCs were identified in 31/35 (88%) subjects. The morphologic review of Giemsa stained filters confirmed the presence of tumor cells in 28/34 (82%) samples [0-217 CTCs/sample]. Interestingly, patients with > 6 TfR+ CTCs had a worse overall survival (OS) than patients with Overall, our data indicate that TfR is a promising biomarker for the detection of CTCs in NSCLC CTCs, superior to CK or EpCAM. Our data also suggest that TfR may potentially identify CTCs subpopulations with a significant prognostic role in NSCLC. We are currently isolating TfR+ CTCs from early stage and metastatic NSCLC patients for further molecular characterization and determination of clinical significance. Citation Format: Giuseppe Galletti, Galatea Kallergi, Ashish Saxena, Despoina Aggouraki, Christos Stournaras, Vassilis Georgoulias, Timothy E. McGraw, Nasser Altorki, Paraskevi Giannakakou. Transferrin receptor 1 (TfR) as marker for circulating tumor cells (CTCs) identification in NSCLC [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1713. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1713

Abstract 619: Effect of anti-PD-1 therapy on immune cells in the peripheral blood of non-small cell lung cancer patients

Background: Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), an inhibitory immune check-point, plays a pivotal role in tumor immune escape. The interaction of PD-1 with its ligand (PD-L1) results in T cells exhaustion, and the blockade of this interaction can partially restore T cell function. Recently, antibodies targeting PD-1 and PD-L1 have been approved for treatment of advanced Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). In this pilot study, we aimed to investigate the effect of anti-PD1 treatment or chemotherapy on the frequencies of circulating PD-1+ T cells and PD-L1+ immunosuppressive cells in NSCLC patients. Patients & Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 35 advanced NSCLC patients before initiation of treatment and after 3 cycles. Twelve treatment-naive patients received front-line chemotherapy, whereas 23 patients received anti-PD1 treatment in the second-line setting. Flow cytometry was used to quantify PD-1- and PD-L1-expressing immune cells. Changes in the frequencies of these cells were compared between the two settings and correlated with the clinical outcome. Results: Chemotherapy had no effect on the percentages of PD-1+CD4+ and PD-1+CD8+ T cells after 3 cycles, whereas there was a significant decrease in PD-1+CD4+ and PD-1+CD8+ T cells in patients who received 3 administrations of anti-PD1 antibody (p=0.007 and p=0.05, respectively). Moreover, the levels of PD-1-CD4+ (p=0.009) and PD-1-CD8+ (p=0.009) were augmented in response to anti-PD-1 therapy. The frequencies of both peripheral CD4+ Tregs (CD3+CD4+CD25highCD127-/lowCD152+FoxP3+) and granulocytic MDSCs (G-MDSC; CD14-CD15+CD33+CD11b+HLA-DR-Lin-) expressing PD-L1 were decreased following anti-PD1 therapy (p=0.01 and p=0.02, respectively). In contrast, chemotherapy affected only the PD-L1+CD4+ Tregs, but not the PD-L1+G-MDSC, by increasing their levels after 3 cycles (p=0.04). Anti-PD-1 treatment induced a superior reduction of the PD-1+CD4+, PD-1+CD8+ T cells, PD-L1+CD4+ Tregs and PD-L1+G-MDSCs percentages compared to the effect of first line chemotherapy (p=0.04, p=0.05, p=0.002 and p=0.01, respectively). Furthermore, a significant decrease in PD-1+CD8+ T cells, PD-L1+CD4+ Tregs and PD-L1+G-MDSCs after 3 doses of anti-PD-1 was observed in patients who experienced stable disease compared to baseline (p=0.006, p=0.05 and p=0.03, respectively). At the time of response evaluation to chemotherapy, the percentage of the PD-L1+CD4+ Tregs after 3 cycles was significantly inferior compared to baseline, in disease progressors (p=0.04). Conclusion: These data indicate that although chemotherapy affected the levels of PD-L1+CD4+ Tregs, anti-PD1 therapy seems to exert an effect on both PD1+ T cells and PD-L1+ immunosuppressive cells. Additional studies are needed in a larger cohort in order to document its impact on their clinical relevance in NSCLC patients. This study is ongoing and updated data will be presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Eleni-Kyriaki Vetsika, Galatea Kallergi, Despoina Aggouraki, Zaharoula Lyristi, Aristeidis Koukos, Despoina Kourougkiaouri, Filippos Koinis, Vassilis Georgoulias, Athanasios Kotsakis. Effect of anti-PD-1 therapy on immune cells in the peripheral blood of non-small cell lung cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 619. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-619