Effect of Gemcitabine based chemotherapy on the immunogenicity of pancreatic tumour cells and T-cells

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer has limited efficacy due to the difficultly of treating established tumours and the evolution of tumour resistance. Chemotherapies for pancreatic cancer are typically studied for their cytotoxic properties rather than for their ability to increase the immunogenicity of pancreatic tumour cells. In this study Gemcitabine in combination with immune modulatory chemotherapies Oxaliplatin, zoledronic acid and pomalidomide was studied to determine how combination therapy alters the immunogenicity of pancreatic tumour cell lines and subsequent T-cell responses. METHODS: Pancreatic tumour cell lines were stimulated with the chemotherapeutic agents and markers of immune recognition were assessed. The effect of chemotherapeutic agents on DC function was measured using uptake of CFSE-stained PANC-1 cells, changes in markers of maturation and their ability to activate CD8+ T-cells. The effect of chemotherapeutic agents on T-cell priming prior to activation using anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies was determined by measuring IFN-γ expression and Annexin V staining using flow cytometry. RESULTS: These agents demonstrate both additive and inhibitory properties on a range of markers of immunogenicity. Gemcitabine was notable for its ability to induce the upregulation of human leukocyte antigen and checkpoints on pancreatic tumour cell lines whilst inhibiting T-cell activation. Pomalidomide demonstrated immune modulatory properties on dendritic cells and T-cells, even in the presence of gemcitabine. DISCUSSION: These data highlight the complex interactions of different agents in the modulation of tumour immunogenicity and immune cell activation and emphasise the complexity in rationally designing chemo immunogenic combinations for use with immunotherapy.