Modulating Tumor Immunity by Targeting Tumor Fibrotic Stroma and Angiogenic Vessels for Lung Cancer Treatment.

Fibrotic stroma and angiogenic tumor vessels play an important role in modulating tumor immunity. We previously reported a rationally designed protein (ProAgio) that targets integrin αβ at a novel site. ProAgio induces the apoptosis of cells that express high levels of the integrin. Both activated cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and angiogenic endothelial cells (aECs) in tumors express high levels of integrin αβ. ProAgio simultaneously and specifically induces apoptosis in CAFs and aECs in tumors. We provide evidence here that the depletion of CAFs and the elimination of leaky tumor angiogenic vessels by ProAgio alter tumor immunity. ProAgio reduces CD Treg and Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), increases CD T-cells, and increases the M1/M2 macrophage ratio in the tumor. The depletion of dense fibrotic stroma (CAFs) by ProAgio decreases the () levels in the stroma areas surrounding the tumors, and thus strongly increases the delivery of anti-PDL-1 antibody to the target cancer cells. The impact of ProAgio on tumor immunity provides strong synergistical effects of checkpoint inhibitors on lung cancer treatment.