BiTE-secreting T cells rationally combine with PD-1 blockade and vaccine boosting to reshape antitumor immunity in ovarian cancer.

Abstract

Despite some clinical success, ovarian cancer (OC) patients rarely achieve durable benefit from current immunotherapies, suggesting a need for strategies that improve OC immune recognition. We previously reported that engineered T cells secreting folate receptor alpha (FRα) targeted bispecific T cell engagers (FR-B T cells) elicit robust antitumor responses in OC, in part by engaging endogenous T cells. Here, we use clinical OC specimens and preclinical OC to evaluate FR-B T cells combined with PD-1 blockade. Assessing the tumor microenvironment during acute and prolonged FR-B T cell + anti-PD-1 responses revealed broad immune cell engagement/reorganization. Early CD8+ T cell-driven responses and myeloid cell influx were followed by accumulation of CXCL13-producing macrophages, activated B cells, and effector memory CD4+ T cells with durable response, hallmarks that were diminished with progressive disease. Resistant OC (characterized by FRα loss and metabolic reprogramming) emerged at disease relapse, suggesting a need to target additional vulnerabilities to extend responses. As FR-B T cells promoted epitope spreading beyond FRα, we employed a booster vaccine to enhance antitumor immunity, improving OC control. Our findings point to rationally combining FR-B T cells with PD-1 blockade in OC and an opportunity to apply personalized cancer vaccines to limit OC relapse.