Mol Cancer Ther. 2023 Apr 3;22(4):471-484. doi: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-22-0351.
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) play an important role in maintaining the immunosuppressive state of the tumor microenvironment (TME). High levels of CD163+ TAMs specifically are associated with poor prognosis in many solid tumor types. Targeting TAMs may represent a key approach in development of the next generation of cancer immune therapeutics. Members of the leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B (LILRB) family, including LILRB2 (ILT4), are known to transmit inhibitory signals in macrophages and other myeloid cells. Leveraging bulk and single cell RNA-sequencing datasets, as well as extensive immunophenotyping of human tumors, we found that LILRB2 is highly expressed on CD163+ CD11b+ cells in the TME and that LILRB2 expression correlates with CD163 expression across many tumor types. To target LILRB2, we have developed JTX-8064, a highly potent and selective antagonistic mAb. JTX-8064 blocks LILRB2 binding to its cognate ligands, including classical and nonclassical MHC molecules. In vitro, JTX-8064 drives the polarization of human macrophages and dendritic cells toward an immunostimulatory phenotype. As a result, human macrophages treated with a LILRB2 blocker are reprogrammed to increase the activation of autologous T cells in co-culture systems. Furthermore, JTX-8064 significantly potentiates the activity of anti-PD-1 in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction. In a human tumor explant culture, pharmacodynamic activity of JTX-8064 was observed in monotherapy and in combination with anti-PD-1. Collectively, our work provides strong translational and preclinical rationale to target LILRB2 in cancer.
肿瘤相关巨噬细胞(TAM)在维持肿瘤微环境(TME)的免疫抑制状态中发挥重要作用。在许多实体瘤类型中,高水平的 CD163+TAM 与预后不良密切相关。靶向 TAM 可能是开发下一代癌症免疫治疗药物的关键方法。白细胞免疫球蛋白样受体 B(LILRB)家族的成员,包括 LILRB2(ILT4),已知在巨噬细胞和其他髓系细胞中传递抑制信号。利用批量和单细胞 RNA 测序数据集,以及对人类肿瘤的广泛免疫表型分析,我们发现 LILRB2 在 TME 中的 CD163+CD11b+细胞上高度表达,并且 LILRB2 表达与许多肿瘤类型中的 CD163 表达相关。为了靶向 LILRB2,我们开发了 JTX-8064,一种高效且选择性的拮抗 mAb。JTX-8064 阻断 LILRB2 与其配体(包括经典和非经典 MHC 分子)的结合。在体外,JTX-8064 驱动人类巨噬细胞和树突状细胞向免疫刺激表型极化。结果,用 LILRB2 阻断剂处理的人巨噬细胞被重新编程以增加在共培养系统中自身 T 细胞的激活。此外,JTX-8064 显著增强了同种异体混合淋巴细胞反应中抗 PD-1 的活性。在人肿瘤外植体培养中,观察到 JTX-8064 在单药治疗和与抗 PD-1 联合治疗中的药效学活性。总之,我们的工作为在癌症中靶向 LILRB2 提供了强有力的转化和临床前依据。
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