Abstract | BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is used as a first-line treatment option for hepatocellular cancer (HCC) with the weaknesses of incomplete ablation, tumor recurrence, and inferior outcomes. To overcome this limitation, we proposed to develop sunitinib-RFA integrated therapy with a potential of activating anti-HCC immune response. METHODS: Using our unique murine model, we developed a novel RFA platform with a modified human cardiac RF generator. Therapeutic efficacy of sunitinib-RFA combined treatment in HCC was tested in this platform. Tumor progression was monitored by MRI; tumor necrosis and apoptosis were detected by H&E and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling; immune reaction was defined by flow cytometry; and signaling molecules were examined with real-time PCR (qPCR), western blot, and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: A significantly reduced tumor growth and extended lift span were observed in the mice receiving combined treatment with RFA and sunitinib. This combined treatment significantly increased the frequency of CD8+ T cell, memory CD8+ T cell, and dendritic cells (DCs); decreased the frequency of regulatory T cells; and activated tumor-specific antigen ( TSA) immune response in tumor microenvironment. We found that RFA caused PD-1 upregulation in tumor-infiltrated T cells by boosting hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) expression, which was suppressed by sunitinib treatment. We have also demonstrated that sunitinib suppressed VEGF's effect in enhancing PD-L1 expression in DCs and attenuated heat-sink effect. The results indicate that RFA induced tumor destruction and release of in situ TSAs which can activate a tumoricidal immune response in sunitinib-treated mice, significantly improving anti-HCC therapeutic efficacy. CONCLUSIONS:
Sunitinib enables RFA-released in situ TSA to ignite an effective anti- tumor immune response by suppressing HGF and VEGF signaling pathways. Sunitinib-RFA as a synergistic therapeutic approach significantly suppresses HCC growth.
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Authors | Xiaoqiang Qi, Ming Yang, Lixin Ma, Madeline Sauer, Diego Avella, Jussuf T Kaifi, Jeffrey Bryan, Kun Cheng, Kevin F Staveley-O'Carroll, Eric T Kimchi, Guangfu Li |
Journal | Journal for immunotherapy of cancer
(J Immunother Cancer)
Vol. 8
Issue 2
(10 2020)
ISSN: 2051-1426 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 33115942
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)
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Copyright | © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. |
Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Animals
- Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
(radiotherapy)
- Dendritic Cells
(metabolism)
- Disease Models, Animal
- Humans
- Immunity
(immunology)
- Liver Neoplasms
(radiotherapy)
- Mice
- Radiofrequency Ablation
(methods)
- Sunitinib
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
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