Local Delivery of OncoVEX^mGM-CSF Generates Systemic Antitumor Immune Responses Enhanced by Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte–Associated Protein Blockade

Abstract

Purpose: Talimogene laherparepvec, a new oncolytic immunotherapy, has been recently approved for the treatment of melanoma. Using a murine version of the virus, we characterized local and systemic antitumor immune responses driving efficacy in murine syngeneic models.

Experimental Design: The activity of talimogene laherparepvec was characterized against melanoma cell lines using an in vitro viability assay. Efficacy of OncoVEX^mGM-CSF (talimogene laherparepvec with the mouse granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor transgene) alone or in combination with checkpoint blockade was characterized in A20 and CT-26 contralateral murine tumor models. CD8⁺ depletion, adoptive T-cell transfers, and Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSpot assays were used to study the mechanism of action (MOA) of systemic immune responses.

Results: Treatment with OncoVEX^mGM-CSF cured all injected A20 tumors and half of contralateral tumors. Viral presence was limited to injected tumors and was not responsible for systemic efficacy. A significant increase in T cells (CD3⁺/CD8⁺) was observed in injected and contralateral tumors at 168 hours. Ex vivo analyses showed these cytotoxic T lymphocytes were tumor-specific. Increased neutrophils, monocytes, and chemokines were observed in injected tumors only. Importantly, depletion of CD8⁺ T cells abolished all systemic efficacy and significantly decreased local efficacy. In addition, immune cell transfer from OncoVEX^mGM-CSF-cured mice significantly protected from tumor challenge. Finally, combination of OncoVEX^mGM-CSF and checkpoint blockade resulted in increased tumor-specific CD8⁺ anti-AH1 T cells and systemic efficacy.

Conclusions: The data support a dual MOA for OncoVEX^mGM-CSF that involves direct oncolysis of injected tumors and activation of a CD8⁺-dependent systemic response that clears injected and contralateral tumors when combined with checkpoint inhibition. Clin Cancer Res; 23(20); 6190–202. ©2017 AACR.