Epigenetic plus cytokine therapy induces stem-like CD8+ T-cell reservoirs and intratumoral immune niches to overcome anti-PD-1 resistance
Abstract Background Checkpoint blockade (CPB) has limited efficacy in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), warranting improved therapeutic strategies capable of remodeling the tumor microenvironment. Stem-like TCF1+CD8+ T cells, cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, and lymphoid aggregates have been associated with CPB responsiveness, either individually or as coordinated immune hubs. Methods We evaluated the combination of αPD-1, the class I histone deacetylase inhibitor entinostat, and the IL-15 superagonist N-803 in CPB-resistant murine CRC and breast cancer models with varying antigen presentation deficiencies. Proteomic, transcriptomic, spatial, and functional analyses were completed to identify treatment-specific immune remodeling. Translational relevance was assessed using publicly available CPB-treated cancer genomic datasets and functional assays with patient-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Results Triple therapy increased stem-like TCF1+CD8+ T cells in tumor-draining lymph nodes and tumors, concomitant with increased intratumoral cytotoxic GZMB+CD8+ T cells. Therapeutic efficacy was associated with remodeling of the tumor microenvironment, uniquely marked by enrichment of intratumoral immune niches comprising TCF1+ and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, type 1 conventional dendritic cells, and B cells, along with concerted cytokine and chemokine production. A transcriptional signature derived from triple therapy-induced immune niches predicted favorable clinical responses across multiple CPB-experienced cancer cohorts. These responses were functionally corroborated by increased markers of cytotoxicity in patient-derived PBMCs in vitro. Conclusions Treatment with entinostat, N-803, and αPD-1 boosts anti-tumor intratumoral immune niches comprising TCF1+CD8+ T cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that TCF1+CD8+ T cell immune niches previously associated with αPD-1 responsiveness and lacking in non-responders, including most CRC patients, may be restored by the addition of entinostat and N-803 to αPD-1 therapy to treat αPD-1-refractory patients.