Increased infiltration of M2-macrophages, T-cells and PD-L1 expression in high grade leiomyosarcomas supports immunotherapeutic strategies

Increased infiltration of M2-macrophages, T-cells and PD-L1 expression in high grade leiomyosarcomas supports immunotherapeutic strategies.

Oncoimmunology, Oct 2017

Kostine M, Briaire-de Bruijn IH, Cleven AHG, Vervat C, Corver WE, Schilham MW, Van Beelen E, van Boven H, Haas RL, Italiano A, Cleton-Jansen AM, Bovée JVMG.

doi: 10.1080/2162402X.2017.1386828

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=10.1080%2F2162402X.2017.1386828

Abstract

Background: Immunotherapy may be a rational strategy in leiomyosarcoma (LMS), a tumor known for its genomic complexity. As a prerequisite for therapeutic applications, we characterized the immune microenvironment in LMS, as well as its prognostic value. Methods:CD163⁺ macrophages, CD3⁺ T-cells, PD-L1/PD-L2 and HLA class I expression (HCA2, HC10 and β2m) were evaluated using immunohistochemistry in primary tumors (n = 75), local relapses (n = 6) and metastases (n = 19) of 87 LMS patients, as well as in benign leiomyomas (n = 7). Correlation with clinicopathological parameters and survival analyses were assessed. Effect of LMS cells on macrophage differentiation was investigated using coculture of CD14⁺ monocytes with LMS cell lines or their conditioned media (CM). Results: 58% and 52% of the tumors were highly infiltrated with CD163⁺ macrophages and T-cells, respectively, with HLA class I expression observed in almost all tumors and PD-L1 expression in 30%. PD-L2 expression was also detected in some PD-L1⁺ tumors. All these immune markers correlated with high tumor grade but only CD163 associated with overall survival (p = 0.003) and disease-specific survival (p = 0.041). In vitro, CD163 was upregulated in the presence of LMS cells producing M-CSF, suggesting that this tumor drives macrophages towards the M2 phenotype. Conclusion: The clinical significance of M2 macrophages, possibly induced by LMS cell-secreted factors, suggests that 2/3 of high-grade LMS patients might benefit from macrophage-targeting agents. Furthermore, PD-L1 expression together with high T-cell infiltrate and HLA class I expression in around 30% of high grade LMS reflects an active immune microenvironment potentially responsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

KEYWORDS :

HLA; PD-L1, immunotherapy; leiomyosarcoma; tumor-associated macrophages; tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes