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Tremelimumab (anti-CTLA4) mediates immune responses mainly by direct activation of T effector cells rather than by affecting T regulatory cells

Khan, S; Burt, D; Ralph, C; Hawkins, R; Elkord, E

Authors

S Khan

D Burt

C Ralph

R Hawkins

E Elkord



Abstract

Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen 4 (CTLA4) blockade has shown antitumor activity against common cancers. However, the exact mechanism of immune mediation by anti-CTLA4 remains to be elucidated. Further understanding of how CTLA4 blockade with tremelimumab mediates immune responses may allow a more effective selection of responsive patients. Our results show that tremelimumab enhanced the proliferative response of T effector cells (Teff) upon TCR stimulation, and abrogated Treg suppressive ability. In the presence of tremelimumab, frequencies of IL-2-secreting CD4(+) T cells and IFN-γ-secreting CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells were increased in response to polyclonal activation and tumor antigens. Importantly, Treg frequency was not reduced in the presence of tremelimumab, and expanded Tregs in cancer patients treated with tremelimumab expressed FoxP3 with no IL-2 release, confirming them as bona fide Tregs. Taken together, this data indicates that tremelimumab induces immune responses mainly by direct activation of Teff rather than by affecting Tregs.

Citation

Khan, S., Burt, D., Ralph, C., Hawkins, R., & Elkord, E. (2011). Tremelimumab (anti-CTLA4) mediates immune responses mainly by direct activation of T effector cells rather than by affecting T regulatory cells. Clinical Immunology, 138(1), 85-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clim.2010.09.011

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jan 1, 2011
Deposit Date Oct 11, 2011
Journal Clinical Immunology
Print ISSN 1521-6616
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 138
Issue 1
Pages 85-96
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clim.2010.09.011
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clim.2010.09.011



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