Aspirin added to immunotherapy slows tumour growth in mice

September 17, 2015

Highlights

• Cyclooxygenase in tumors induces PGE2 that subverts myeloid cell function
• COX ablation in tumors enables immune control
• COX inhibition synergizes with checkpoint blockade therapy
• A COX inflammatory signature is conserved across mouse and human cancer biopsies

Summary

The mechanisms by which melanoma and other cancer cells evade anti-tumor immunity remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that the growth of tumors formed by mutant BrafV600Emouse melanoma cells in an immunocompetent host requires their production of prostaglandin E2, which suppresses immunity and fuels tumor-promoting inflammation. Genetic ablation of cyclooxygenases (COX) or prostaglandin E synthases in BrafV600E mouse melanoma cells, as well as in NrasG12D melanoma or in breast or colorectal cancer cells, renders them susceptible to immune control and provokes a shift in the tumor inflammatory profile toward classic anti-cancer immune pathways. This mouse COX-dependent inflammatory signature is remarkably conserved in human cutaneous melanoma biopsies, arguing for COX activity as a driver of immune suppression across species. Pre-clinical data demonstrate that inhibition of COX synergizes with anti-PD-1 blockade in inducing eradication of tumors, implying that COX inhibitors could be useful adjuvants for immune-based therapies in cancer patients.

Source:

Santiago, Z, et al. Cyclooxygenase-Dependent Tumor Growth through Evasion of Immunity. Volume 162, Issue 6, p1257–1270, 10 September 2015. Open access article. http://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(15)01028-4

See also Melanoma News Today: http://melanomanewstoday.com/2015/09/15/adding-asp...