Proton radiation boosts the efficacy of mesothelin-targeting chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents a challenge in oncology, with limited treatment options for advanced-stage patients. Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T) therapy targeting mesothelin (MSLN) shows promise, but challenges such as the hostile immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) hinder its efficacy. This study explores the synergistic potential of combining proton radiation therapy (RT) with MSLN-targeting CAR T therapy in a syngeneic PDAC model. Proton RT significantly increased MSLN expression in tumor cells and caused a significant increase in CAR T cell infiltration into tumors. The combination therapy reshaped the immunosuppressive TME, promoting antitumorigenic M1 polarized macrophages and reducing myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). In a flank PDAC model, the combination therapy demonstrated superior attenuation of tumor growth and improved survival compared to individual treatments alone. In an orthotopic PDAC model treated with image-guided proton RT, tumor growth was significantly reduced in the combination group compared to the RT treatment alone. Further, the combination therapy induced an abscopal effect in a dual-flank tumor model, with increased serum interferon-γ levels and enhanced proliferation of extratumoral CAR T cells. In conclusion, combining proton RT with MSLN-targeting CAR T therapy proves effective in modulating the TME, enhancing CAR T cell trafficking, and exerting systemic antitumor effects. Thus, this combinatorial approach could present a promising strategy for improving outcomes in unresectable PDAC.

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Competing interests statement:R.M.Y. and C.H.J. are inventors of patents and/or patent applications licensed to Novartis Institutes of Biomedical Research and receive license revenue from such licenses. C.H.J. is an inventor on patents and/or patent applications licensed to Kite Pharma, Capstan Therapeutics. Dispatch Therapeutics and BlueWhale Bio. C.H.J. is a member of the scientific advisory boards of AC Immune, BluesphereBio, BlueWhale Bio, Cabaletta, Carisma, Cartography, Cellares, Celldex, Decheng, Poseida, Replay Bio, Verismo, ViTToria, and WIRB-Copernicus. No competing interests were declared by U.A., U.U., I.I.V., M.M.K., S.A.O.M., E.S.D., C.-A.A., S.B., S.J.A., E.B.-J., and C.K.