CD25high Effector Regulatory T Cells Hamper Responses to PD-1 Blockade in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Regulatory T cells (Treg) impede effective antitumor immunity. However, the role of Tregs in the clinical outcomes of patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains controversial. Here, we found that an immunosuppressive TNBC microenvironment is marked by an imbalance between effector alpha beta CD8(+) T cells and Tregs harboring hallmarks of highly suppressive effector Tregs (eTreg). Intratumoral eTregs strongly expressed PD-1 and persisted in patients with TNBC resistant to PD-1 blockade. Importantly, CD25 was themost selective surfacemarker of eTregs in primaryTNBCand metastases comparedwith other candidate targets for eTreg depletion currently being evaluated in trials for patients with advanced TNBC. In a syngeneic TNBC model, the use of Fc-optimized, IL2 sparing, anti-CD25 antibodies synergized with PD-1 blockade to promote systemic antitumor immunity and durable tumor growth control by increasing effector alpha beta CD8(+) T-cell/Treg ratios in tumors and in the periphery. Together, this study provides the rationale for the clinical translation of anti-CD25 therapy to improve PD-1 blockade responses in patients with TNBC.

Automated summary

This study reveals that the presence of highly suppressive effector Tregs (eTregs) hinders effective antitumor immunity in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The clinical translation of anti-CD25 therapy shows potential in improving the response to PD-1 blockade in TNBC patients.