Programmable bacteria synergize with PD-1 blockade to overcome cancer cell–intrinsic immune resistance mechanisms

Abstract

Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is a potent cytokine critical for response to immunotherapy, yet conventional methods to systemically deliver this cytokine have been hindered by severe dose-limiting toxicities. Here, we engineered a strain of probiotic bacteria that home to tumors and locally release IFN-γ. A single intratumoral injection of these IFN-γ–producing bacteria was sufficient to drive systemic tumor antigen–specific antitumor immunity, without observable toxicity. Although cancer cells use various resistance mechanisms to evade immune responses, bacteria-derived IFN-γ overcame primary resistance to programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) blockade via activation of cytotoxic Foxp3⁻CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. Moreover, by activating natural killer (NK) cells, bacteria-derived IFN-γ also overcame acquired resistance mechanisms to PD-1 blockade, specifically loss-of-function mutations in IFN-γ signaling and antigen presentation pathways. Collectively, these results demonstrate the promise of combining IFN-γ–producing bacteria with PD-1 blockade as a therapeutic strategy for overcoming immunotherapy-resistant, locally advanced, and metastatic disease.