Interleukin 17 signaling supports clinical benefit of dual CTLA-4 and PD-1 checkpoint inhibition in melanoma

Recent studies suggest that BRAF(V600)-mutated melanomas in particular respond to dual anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI). Here we identified an over-representation of interleukin (IL)-17-type 17 helper T (T(H)17) gene expression signatures (GES) in BRAF(V600)-mutated tumors. Moreover, high baseline IL-17 GES consistently predicted clinical responses in dual-ICI-treated patient cohorts but not in mono anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1 ICI cohorts. High IL-17 GES corresponded to tumor infiltration with T cells and neutrophils. Accordingly, high neutrophil infiltration correlated with clinical response specifically to dual ICI, and tumor-associated neutrophils also showed strong IL-17-T(H)17 pathway activity and T cell activation capacity. Both the blockade of IL-17A and the depletion of neutrophils impaired dual-ICI response and decreased T cell activation. Finally, high IL-17A levels in the blood of patients with melanoma indicated a higher global T(H)17 cytokine profile preceding clinical response to dual ICI but not to anti-PD-1 monotherapy, suggesting a future role as a biomarker for patient stratification. Roesch and colleagues use clinical datasets and mouse models of BRAF-mutant melanoma to reveal a role for IL-17A in positive responses to anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 therapy, which they also link to infiltrating neutrophils.

Automated summary

Recent studies have found that melanomas with BRAF(V600) mutations are more likely to respond to dual anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI). The presence of IL-17-type 17 helper T (T(H)17) gene expression signatures (GES) in these tumors consistently predicts clinical responses to dual-ICI treatment, but not to mono anti-CTLA-4 or anti-PD-1 ICI. High IL-17 GES is associated with T cell and neutrophil infiltration in the tumor, and higher levels of IL-17A in the blood indicate a better response to dual-ICI therapy in patients with melanoma.