PD-L1 blockade exhibits anti-tumor effect on brain metastasis by activating CD8(+) T cells in hematogenous metastasis model with lymphocyte infusion

Brain metastases are common complication in cancer patients. Immune checkpoint inhibitors show therapeutic benefits also in patients with central nervous system (CNS) metastases. However, their antitumor effects on metastatic tumors and their underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. In this study we investigated the antitumor effect of anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibody on metastatic brain tumors and evaluated immune responses during treatment. We employed a hematogenous brain metastasis xenograft model using immunodeficient mice with murine lymphocyte infusions. A human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell line stably expressing NanoLuc(®) reporter (Nluc-H1915) was inoculated from the internal carotid artery of SCID mice. After metastases were established (24 days after inoculation), splenocytes prepared from H1915-immunized BALB/c mice were injected intravenously and mouse IgG or anti-PD-L1 antibody treatment was started (day 1). Evaluated by Nluc activity, tumor volume in the brain on day 14 was significantly lower in anti-PD-L1-treated mice than in mouse IgG-treated mice. Furthermore CD8(+) cells were primarily infiltrated intratumorally and peritumorally and anti-PD-L1 treatment induced a significantly higher proportion of Granzyme B (GzmB)(+) cells among CD8(+) T cells. The antitumor effect of anti-PD-L1 antibody on brain metastasis is thought to be achieved by the enhanced activation of infiltrated CD8(+) T cells into metastatic brain tumor. These results suggest that anti-PD-L1 antibody-containing regimens may be promising treatment options for cancer patients with brain metastases. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10585-021-10135-6.