Interleukin-17-induced neutrophil extracellular traps mediate resistance to checkpoint blockade in pancreatic cancer

Yu Zhang, Vidhi Chandra, Erick Riquelme Sanchez, Prasanta Dutta, Pompeyo R. Quesada, Amanda Rakoski, Michelle Zoltan, Nivedita Arora, Seyda Baydogan, William Horne, Jared Burks, Hanwen Xu, Perwez Hussain, Huamin Wang, Sonal Gupta, Anirban Maitra, Jennifer M. Bailey, Seyed J. Moghaddam, Sulagna Banerjee, Ismet SahinPratip Bhattacharya, Florencia McAllister

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

208 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a lethal malignancy with an immunosuppressive microenvironment that is resistant to most therapies. IL17 is involved in pancreatic tumorigenesis, but its role in invasive PDAC is undetermined. We hypothesized that IL17 triggers and sustains PDAC immunosuppression. We inhibited IL17/IL17RA signaling using pharmacological and genetic strategies alongside mass cytometry and multiplex immunofluorescence techniques. We uncovered that IL17 recruits neutrophils, triggers neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), and excludes cytotoxic CD8 T cells from tumors. Additionally, IL17 blockade increases immune checkpoint blockade (PD-1, CTLA4) sensitivity. Inhibition of neutrophils or Padi4-dependent NETosis phenocopies IL17 neutralization. NMR spectroscopy revealed changes in tumor lactate as a potential early biomarker for IL17/PD-1 combination efficacy. Higher expression of IL17 and PADI4 in human PDAC corresponds with poorer prognosis, and the serum of patients with PDAC has higher potential for NETosis. Clinical studies with IL17 and checkpoint blockade represent a novel combinatorial therapy with potential efficacy for this lethal disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere20190354
JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine
Volume217
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 7 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

MD Anderson CCSG core facilities

  • Flow Cytometry and Cellular Imaging Facility
  • Small Animal Imaging Facility

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