2024
Digital spatial proteomic profiling reveals immune checkpoints as biomarkers in lymphoid aggregates and tumor microenvironment of desmoplastic melanoma
Su D, Schoenfeld D, Ibrahim W, Cabrejo R, Djureinovic D, Baumann R, Rimm D, Khan S, Halaban R, Kluger H, Olino K, Galan A, Clune J. Digital spatial proteomic profiling reveals immune checkpoints as biomarkers in lymphoid aggregates and tumor microenvironment of desmoplastic melanoma. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2024, 12: e008646. PMID: 38519058, PMCID: PMC10961546, DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008646.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsActinsBiomarkers, TumorCTLA-4 AntigenHumansMelanomaProgrammed Cell Death 1 ReceptorProteomicsTumor MicroenvironmentConceptsCTLA-4 expression levelsCancer-associated fibroblastsAssociated with worse survivalExpression of immune checkpointsLAG-3 expressionDesmoplastic melanomaLymphoid aggregatesCTLA-4PD-1Immune checkpointsIntratumoral leukocytesLAG-3Tumor compartmentsWorse survivalCD20+B cellsIncreased expression of immune checkpointsProgrammed cell death protein 1Macrophage/monocyte markerSentinel lymph node positivityCell death protein 1Associated with poor prognosisLymph node positivityDense fibrous stromaPotential prognostic significanceCore of tumors
2023
Immune dysfunction revealed by digital spatial profiling of immuno-oncology markers in progressive stages of renal cell carcinoma and in brain metastases
Schoenfeld D, Moutafi M, Martinez S, Djureinovic D, Merkin R, Adeniran A, Braun D, Signoretti S, Choueiri T, Parisi F, Hurwitz M, Rimm D, Wei W, Jilaveanu L, Kluger H. Immune dysfunction revealed by digital spatial profiling of immuno-oncology markers in progressive stages of renal cell carcinoma and in brain metastases. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2023, 11: e007240. PMID: 37586773, PMCID: PMC10432651, DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-007240.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBrain NeoplasmsCarcinoma, Renal CellHepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2HumansImmune System DiseasesKidney NeoplasmsMedical OncologyTumor MicroenvironmentConceptsRenal cell carcinomaBrain metastasesPrimary tumorTumor microenvironmentDigital spatial profilingCell carcinomaActivation protein expressionInflammatory macrophage markersRCC brain metastasesInnate immune activatorsNormal kidney samplesProgressive stagesExtracranial metastasesTim-3Immune checkpointsImmune dysfunctionImmune activationRCC metastasisLonger survivalImmune activatorsMacrophage markersTreatment responseSeparate cohortTissue microarrayMetastatic samplesCombinatorial Immunotherapy with Agonistic CD40 Activates Dendritic Cells to Express IL12 and Overcomes PD-1 Resistance.
Krykbaeva I, Bridges K, Damsky W, Pizzurro G, Alexander A, McGeary M, Park K, Muthusamy V, Eyles J, Luheshi N, Turner N, Weiss S, Olino K, Kaech S, Kluger H, Miller-Jensen K, Bosenberg M. Combinatorial Immunotherapy with Agonistic CD40 Activates Dendritic Cells to Express IL12 and Overcomes PD-1 Resistance. Cancer Immunology Research 2023, 11: 1332-1350. PMID: 37478171, DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-22-0699.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPD-1 resistanceDendritic cellsTumor regressionAnti-PD-1 resistanceActivates Dendritic CellsCytokine secretion profilingSystemic cytokine profileTriple therapy combinationInnate immune activationAdaptive immune responsesComplete tumor regressionMajority of miceSignificant clinical challengeMouse melanoma modelT cell activationAgonistic CD40Checkpoint inhibitorsDC subsetsTriple therapyCytokine profileImmune activationCombinatorial immunotherapyTherapy combinationsT cellsClinical challengeSubsets of IFN Signaling Predict Response to Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Patients with Melanoma.
Horowitch B, Lee D, Ding M, Martinez-Morilla S, Aung T, Ouerghi F, Wang X, Wei W, Damsky W, Sznol M, Kluger H, Rimm D, Ishizuka J. Subsets of IFN Signaling Predict Response to Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Patients with Melanoma. Clinical Cancer Research 2023, 29: 2908-2918. PMID: 37233452, PMCID: PMC10524955, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-0215.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsB7-H1 AntigenHumansImmune Checkpoint InhibitorsIpilimumabMelanomaNivolumabTumor MicroenvironmentConceptsImmune checkpoint inhibitorsHuman melanoma cell linesMelanoma cell linesPD-L1Validation cohortYale-New Haven HospitalCombination of ipilimumabPD-L1 markersImmune checkpoint blockadePD-L1 biomarkerNew Haven HospitalSTAT1 levelsCell linesWestern blot analysisCheckpoint inhibitorsCheckpoint blockadeClinical responseOverall survivalImproved survivalResistance of cancersMetastatic melanomaMelanoma responsePredict responseTreatment responseDistinct patternsLenvatinib or anti-VEGF in combination with anti-PD-1 differentially augments anti-tumor activity in melanoma
Tran T, Caulfield J, Zhang L, Schoenfeld D, Djureinovic D, Chiang V, Oria V, Weiss S, Olino K, Jilaveanu L, Kluger H. Lenvatinib or anti-VEGF in combination with anti-PD-1 differentially augments anti-tumor activity in melanoma. JCI Insight 2023, 8: e157347. PMID: 36821392, PMCID: PMC10132152, DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.157347.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsCell Line, TumorCytokinesMelanomaMicePhenylurea CompoundsProgrammed Cell Death 1 ReceptorTumor MicroenvironmentVascular Endothelial Growth Factor AConceptsTumor microenvironmentAnti-VEGFCytokine/chemokine signalingCytokine/chemokine profilingBlood-brain barrier modelBlood vesselsLeukocyte transmigrationTumor-associated blood vesselsTumor-associated macrophagesIntratumoral blood vesselsAnti-angiogenesis effectAnti-tumor activityExtracranial diseasePlasmacytoid DCsImmune checkpointsPD-1Melanoma murine modelImmune infiltrationBBB modelChemokine profilingEndothelial stabilizationMurine modelLenvatinibCombined targetingMelanoma modelSociety for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) consensus definitions for resistance to combinations of immune checkpoint inhibitors with targeted therapies
Atkins M, Ascierto P, Feltquate D, Gulley J, Johnson D, Khushalani N, Sosman J, Yap T, Kluger H, Sullivan R, Tawbi H. Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) consensus definitions for resistance to combinations of immune checkpoint inhibitors with targeted therapies. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2023, 11: e005923. PMID: 36918225, PMCID: PMC10016252, DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005923.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsConsensusHumansImmune Checkpoint InhibitorsImmunotherapyKidney NeoplasmsMelanomaTumor MicroenvironmentConceptsImmune checkpoint inhibitorsConsensus definitionCheckpoint inhibitorsAntiangiogenic therapySingle-agent immune checkpoint inhibitorsConsensus clinical definitionSolid tumor settingTumor immune microenvironmentImmunotherapy of cancerDurable disease controlClinical trial designSignal transduction inhibitorsICI combinationsEndometrial cancerImproved survivalRandomized trialsImmune microenvironmentMechanisms of resistanceHepatocellular carcinomaClinical definitionKidney cancerImmunotherapyTumor settingsCombination treatmentTrial design
2022
Melanoma central nervous system metastases: An update to approaches, challenges, and opportunities
Karz A, Dimitrova M, Kleffman K, Alvarez‐Breckenridge C, Atkins MB, Boire A, Bosenberg M, Brastianos P, Cahill DP, Chen Q, Ferguson S, Forsyth P, Oliva I, Goldberg SB, Holmen SL, Knisely JPS, Merlino G, Nguyen DX, Pacold ME, Perez‐Guijarro E, Smalley KSM, Tawbi HA, Wen PY, Davies MA, Kluger HM, Mehnert JM, Hernando E. Melanoma central nervous system metastases: An update to approaches, challenges, and opportunities. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research 2022, 35: 554-572. PMID: 35912544, PMCID: PMC10171356, DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13059.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBrainBrain NeoplasmsEcosystemHumansImmunotherapyMelanomaNeoplasms, Second PrimaryTumor MicroenvironmentConceptsMelanoma brain metastasesMBM patientsBrain metastasesCheckpoint inhibitor trialsCommon brain malignancyMelanoma Research FoundationDedicated clinical trialsRole of astrocytesNovel treatment approachesImmunotherapy trialsInhibitor trialsBrain malignanciesClinical trialsPatient outcomesBrain microenvironmentTreatment approachesPatient advocatesPatientsTrialsTherapeutic purposesMetabolic adaptationMetastasisCurrent standardTherapyRecent reportsEmerging Studies of Melanoma Brain Metastasis
Caulfield JI, Kluger HM. Emerging Studies of Melanoma Brain Metastasis. Current Oncology Reports 2022, 24: 585-594. PMID: 35212922, DOI: 10.1007/s11912-022-01237-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBrain NeoplasmsHumansImmunotherapyIncidenceMelanomaPrognosisRadiosurgeryRetrospective StudiesTumor MicroenvironmentConceptsMelanoma brain metastasesBrain metastasesClinical studiesTreatment approachesRecent FindingsClinical trialsImmune checkpoint inhibitorsAdditional treatment approachesRecent preclinical studiesNew treatment approachesCentral nervous systemBrain disseminationCheckpoint inhibitorsSignificant morbidityPerilesional edemaRadiation necrosisPatient populationClinical challengePreclinical studiesNervous systemSolid tumorsEmerging studiesMetastasisTumor microenvironmentDisease controlTumor homingInhibition of renalase drives tumour rejection by promoting T cell activation
Guo X, Jessel S, Qu R, Kluger Y, Chen TM, Hollander L, Safirstein R, Nelson B, Cha C, Bosenberg M, Jilaveanu LB, Rimm D, Rothlin CV, Kluger HM, Desir GV. Inhibition of renalase drives tumour rejection by promoting T cell activation. European Journal Of Cancer 2022, 165: 81-96. PMID: 35219026, PMCID: PMC8940682, DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2022.01.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsHumansImmune Checkpoint InhibitorsImmunotherapyMelanomaMiceMonoamine OxidaseTumor MicroenvironmentConceptsPD-1 inhibitorsMurine melanoma modelMelanoma-bearing miceMelanoma modelTumor microenvironmentTumor rejectionCell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitorsAnti-PD-1 activityEnhanced T cell infiltrationT cell-dependent fashionMelanoma cellsMelanoma tumor regressionPreclinical melanoma modelsT cell infiltrationNatural killer cellsForkhead box P3Expression of IFNγWild-type miceProtein 1 inhibitorT cell activationTumor cell contentWild-type melanoma cellsCD4 cellsAdvanced melanomaAntibody treatment
2021
Spatially resolved analysis of the T cell immune contexture in lung cancer-associated brain metastases
Lu BY, Gupta R, Aguirre-Ducler A, Gianino N, Wyatt H, Ribeiro M, Chiang VL, Contessa JN, Adeniran AJ, Jilaveanu LB, Kluger HM, Schalper KA, Goldberg SB. Spatially resolved analysis of the T cell immune contexture in lung cancer-associated brain metastases. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2021, 9: e002684. PMID: 34670827, PMCID: PMC8529973, DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2021-002684.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBiomarkers, TumorBrain NeoplasmsFemaleHumansLung NeoplasmsMaleProgrammed Cell Death 1 ReceptorRetrospective StudiesT-LymphocytesTumor MicroenvironmentConceptsPrimary lung tumorsT cell subsetsMajor T cell subsetsMultiplexed quantitative immunofluorescenceLung tumorsT cellsCoinhibitory receptorsTim-3Cell subsetsBrain metastasesQuantitative immunofluorescenceHigh LAG-3 expressionTumor PD-L1 expressionPD-L1 protein expressionLymphocyte activation gene-3Low T cell infiltrationHigh TIM-3Major clinicopathological variablesPD-L1 expressionLAG-3 expressionT cell infiltrationTumor-infiltrating lymphocytesLonger overall survivalCell death 1Tumor immune microenvironmentAnalysis of multispectral imaging with the AstroPath platform informs efficacy of PD-1 blockade
Berry S, Giraldo NA, Green BF, Cottrell TR, Stein JE, Engle EL, Xu H, Ogurtsova A, Roberts C, Wang D, Nguyen P, Zhu Q, Soto-Diaz S, Loyola J, Sander IB, Wong PF, Jessel S, Doyle J, Signer D, Wilton R, Roskes JS, Eminizer M, Park S, Sunshine JC, Jaffee EM, Baras A, De Marzo AM, Topalian SL, Kluger H, Cope L, Lipson EJ, Danilova L, Anders RA, Rimm DL, Pardoll DM, Szalay AS, Taube JM. Analysis of multispectral imaging with the AstroPath platform informs efficacy of PD-1 blockade. Science 2021, 372 PMID: 34112666, PMCID: PMC8709533, DOI: 10.1126/science.aba2609.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAntigens, CDAntigens, Differentiation, MyelomonocyticAntineoplastic Agents, ImmunologicalB7-H1 AntigenBiomarkers, TumorCD8 AntigensFemaleFluorescent Antibody TechniqueForkhead Transcription FactorsHumansImmune Checkpoint ProteinsMacrophagesMaleMelanomaMiddle AgedPrognosisProgrammed Cell Death 1 ReceptorProgression-Free SurvivalReceptors, Cell SurfaceSingle-Cell AnalysisSOXE Transcription FactorsT-Lymphocyte SubsetsTreatment OutcomeTumor MicroenvironmentConceptsAnti-programmed cell death 1Anti-PD-1 blockadePD-1 blockadeCell death 1Tissue-based biomarkersLong-term survivalTumor tissue sectionsDeath-1PD-1PD-L1Immunoregulatory moleculesT cellsIndependent cohortMyeloid cellsMelanoma specimensMultiple cell typesTissue sectionsLow/BlockadeCell typesDistinct expression patternsExpression patternsImagingCD8Foxp3Intratumour microbiome associated with the infiltration of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and patient survival in cutaneous melanoma
Zhu G, Su H, Johnson CH, Khan SA, Kluger H, Lu L. Intratumour microbiome associated with the infiltration of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and patient survival in cutaneous melanoma. European Journal Of Cancer 2021, 151: 25-34. PMID: 33962358, PMCID: PMC8184628, DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.03.053.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overBacteriaBacterial LoadBacterial TranslocationChemokinesClostridialesCytotoxicity, ImmunologicFemaleGastrointestinal MicrobiomeHumansLymphocyte CountLymphocytes, Tumor-InfiltratingMaleMelanomaMiddle AgedPrognosisSkin NeoplasmsT-Lymphocytes, CytotoxicTumor MicroenvironmentYoung AdultConceptsT cellsCutaneous melanomaPatient survivalGut microbiomeAdjusted hazard ratioT cell infiltrationChemokine gene expressionChemokine levelsCytotoxic CD8Hazard ratioSystemic inflammationShorter survivalCCL5 expressionPatient outcomesCD8Immune responseMortality riskGut microbiotaSurvival analysisMelanomaTumor nicheHuman cancersSurvivalSignificant correlationPositive associationBiomarker Discovery in Patients with Immunotherapy-Treated Melanoma with Imaging Mass CytometryMultiplex Discovery with Imaging Mass Cytometry
Martinez-Morilla S, Villarroel-Espindola F, Wong PF, Toki MI, Aung TN, Pelekanou V, Bourke-Martin B, Schalper KA, Kluger HM, Rimm DL. Biomarker Discovery in Patients with Immunotherapy-Treated Melanoma with Imaging Mass CytometryMultiplex Discovery with Imaging Mass Cytometry. Clinical Cancer Research 2021, 27: 1987-1996. PMID: 33504554, PMCID: PMC8026677, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-20-3340.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBeta 2-MicroglobulinBiomarkers, TumorHumansImage CytometryImmune Checkpoint InhibitorsMelanomaRNA, MessengerTissue Array AnalysisTumor Microenvironment
2020
Quantitative analysis of CMTM6 expression in tumor microenvironment in metastatic melanoma and association with outcome on immunotherapy
Martinez-Morilla S, Zugazagoitia J, Wong PF, Kluger HM, Rimm DL. Quantitative analysis of CMTM6 expression in tumor microenvironment in metastatic melanoma and association with outcome on immunotherapy. OncoImmunology 2020, 10: 1864909. PMID: 33457084, PMCID: PMC7781756, DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2020.1864909.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImmune checkpoint inhibitorsPD-L1CMTM6 expressionControl patientsLonger survivalTissue microarrayQuantitative immunofluorescenceEffectiveness of immunotherapyMetastatic melanoma patientsDeath ligand 1Like MARVEL transmembrane domainCancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databaseExpression of CMTM6MARVEL transmembrane domainExpression of mRNAChemokine-like factorICI treatmentCheckpoint inhibitorsPretreatment biopsiesCD68 markersImmune compartmentMultivariable analysisMelanoma patientsImmune-related proteinsPredictive factors
2019
A First-in-Human Study and Biomarker Analysis of NKTR-214, a Novel IL2Rβγ-Biased Cytokine, in Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors
Bentebibel SE, Hurwitz ME, Bernatchez C, Haymaker C, Hudgens CW, Kluger HM, Tetzlaff MT, Tagliaferri MA, Zalevsky J, Hoch U, Fanton C, Aung S, Hwu P, Curti BD, Tannir NM, Sznol M, Diab A. A First-in-Human Study and Biomarker Analysis of NKTR-214, a Novel IL2Rβγ-Biased Cytokine, in Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors. Cancer Discovery 2019, 9: 711-721. PMID: 30988166, DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-18-1495.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNKTR-214Tumor biopsiesDurable disease stabilizationImmuno-oncology agentsMulticenter phase IPathway-targeted agentsTreatment tumor biopsiesPhase II doseActivation of CD8Metastatic solid tumorsNatural killer cellsOutpatient regimenCheckpoint inhibitorsDisease stabilizationRegulatory cellsEffector phenotypeKiller cellsTreatment algorithmImmune activationTumor shrinkagePharmacodynamic markersImmune cellsClinical activityIL2 receptorHuman studiesTranscriptomic Hallmarks of Tumor Plasticity and Stromal Interactions in Brain Metastasis
Wingrove E, Liu ZZ, Patel KD, Arnal-Estapé A, Cai WL, Melnick MA, Politi K, Monteiro C, Zhu L, Valiente M, Kluger HM, Chiang VL, Nguyen DX. Transcriptomic Hallmarks of Tumor Plasticity and Stromal Interactions in Brain Metastasis. Cell Reports 2019, 27: 1277-1292.e7. PMID: 31018140, PMCID: PMC6592283, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.03.085.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBrain metastasesBrain tumor microenvironmentLineage programTumor microenvironmentTumor plasticityStromal gene expressionTranscriptomic hallmarksGene expressionTranscriptional hallmarksMultiple tumor typesMolecular landscapeStromal interactionsMajor siteIntact tissueNeuroinflammatory responseSyngeneic modelPatient biopsiesTumor typesMetastasisMalignant cellsDifferent subtypesTumor cellsHallmarkTranscriptomeCells
2016
Immunomodulatory Activity of Nivolumab in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Choueiri TK, Fishman MN, Escudier B, McDermott DF, Drake CG, Kluger H, Stadler WM, Perez-Gracia JL, McNeel DG, Curti B, Harrison MR, Plimack ER, Appleman L, Fong L, Albiges L, Cohen L, Young TC, Chasalow SD, Ross-Macdonald P, Srivastava S, Jure-Kunkel M, Kurland JF, Simon JS, Sznol M. Immunomodulatory Activity of Nivolumab in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma. Clinical Cancer Research 2016, 22: 5461-5471. PMID: 27169994, PMCID: PMC5106340, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-2839.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMetastatic renal cell carcinomaTreatment-naïve patientsPD-L1 expressionTumor-associated lymphocytesTreatment biopsiesOverall survivalAnti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitorImmune checkpoint inhibitorsMedian overall survivalNew safety signalsPD-1 inhibitionPhase 3 trialMedian percent changeRenal cell carcinomaUpregulation of IFNγTumor gene expressionNivolumab dosesSerum chemokinesCheckpoint inhibitorsChemokine levelsBaseline biopsiesCell carcinomaImmunomodulatory effectsPeripheral bloodClinical activity