OX40 is a potent immune-stimulating target in late-stage cancer patients

Cancer Res. 2013 Dec 15;73(24):7189-7198. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-12-4174. Epub 2013 Oct 31.

Abstract

OX40 is a potent costimulatory receptor that can potentiate T-cell receptor signaling on the surface of T lymphocytes, leading to their activation by a specifically recognized antigen. In particular, OX40 engagement by ligands present on dendritic cells dramatically increases the proliferation, effector function, and survival of T cells. Preclinical studies have shown that OX40 agonists increase antitumor immunity and improve tumor-free survival. In this study, we performed a phase I clinical trial using a mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) that agonizes human OX40 signaling in patients with advanced cancer. Patients treated with one course of the anti-OX40 mAb showed an acceptable toxicity profile and regression of at least one metastatic lesion in 12 of 30 patients. Mechanistically, this treatment increased T and B cell responses to reporter antigen immunizations, led to preferential upregulation of OX40 on CD4(+) FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, and increased the antitumor reactivity of T and B cells in patients with melanoma. Our findings clinically validate OX40 as a potent immune-stimulating target for treatment in patients with cancer, providing a generalizable tool to favorably influence the antitumor properties of circulating T cells, B cells, and intratumoral regulatory T cells.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01644968.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase I
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Receptors, OX40 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, OX40 / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Receptors, OX40

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01644968