Neoantigen Targetability in Progressive Advanced Melanoma
Clinical Cancer Research, vol. 29, pp. 4278–4288
Abstract
PURPOSE: The availability of (neo)antigens and the infiltration of tumors by (neo)antigen-specific T cells are crucial factors in cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the targetability of (neo)antigens in advanced progessive melanoma and explore the potential for continued T-cell-based immunotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We examined a cohort of eight patients with melanoma who had sequential metastases resected at early and later time points. Antigen-presenting capacity was assessed using IHC and flow cytometry. T-cell infiltration was quantified through multiplex immunofluorescence. Whole-exome and RNA sequencing were conducted to identify neoantigens and assess the expression of neoantigens and tumor-associated antigens. Mass spectrometry was used to evaluate antigen presentation. Tumor recognition by autologous T cells was assessed by coculture assays with cell lines derived from the metastatic lesions. RESULTS: We observed similar T-cell infiltration in paired early and later metastatic (LM) lesions. Although elements of the antigen-presenting machinery were affected in some LM lesions, both the early and later metastasis-derived cell lines were recognized by autologous T cells. At the genomic level, the (neo)antigen landscape was dynamic, but the (neo)antigen load was stable between paired lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that subsequently isolated tumors from patients with late-stage melanoma retain sufficient antigen-presenting capacity, T-cell infiltration, and a stable (neo)antigen load, allowing recognition of tumor cells by T cells. This indicates a continuous availability of T-cell targets in metastases occurring at different time points and supports further exploration of (neo)antigen-specific T-cell-based therapeutic approaches for advanced melanoma.
Authors 18
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
1Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
2Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
1Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
2Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
1Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
3Center of Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
3Center of Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
1Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
1Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
1Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
2Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
2Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
3Center of Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
1Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
4Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
3Center of Proteomics and Metabolomics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
1Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
2Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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