Immune cell and tumor cell-derived CXCL10 is indicative of immunotherapy response in metastatic melanoma

A T cell-inflamed tumor microenvironment is characterized by the accumulation and local activation of CD8(+) T cells and Bat3-lineage dendritic cells, which together are associated with clinical response to anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1)-based immunotherapy. Preclinical models have demonstrated a crucial role for the chemokine CXCL10 in the recruitment of effector CD8(+) T cells into the tumor site, and a chemokine gene signature is also seen in T cell-inflamed tumors from patients. However, the cellular source of CXCL10 in human solid tumors is not known. To identify the cellular source of CXCL10 we analyzed 22 pretreatment biopsy samples of melanoma metastases from patients who subsequently underwent checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. We stained for CD45(+) and Sox10(+) cells with multiparameter immunofluorescence staining, and RNA in situ hybridization technology was used in concert to identify CXCL10 transcripts. The results were correlated with the expression levels of CXCL10 transcripts from bulk RNA sequencing and the best overall response to immune checkpoint inhibition (anti-PD-1 alone or with anti-CTLA-4) in the same patients. We identified CD45(+) cells as the major cellular source for CXCL10 in human melanoma metastases, with additional CXCL10 production seen by Sox10(+) cells. Up to 90% of CD45(+) cells and up to 69% of Sox10(+) cells produced CXCL10 transcripts. The CXCL10 staining result was consistent with the level of CXCL10 expression determined by bulk RNA sequencing. The percentages of CD45(+) CXCL10(+) cells and Sox10(+) CXCL10(+) cells independently predicted response (p<0.001). The average number of transcripts per cell correlated with the CD45(+) cell infiltrate (R=0.37). Immune cells and melanoma cells produce CXCL10 in human melanoma metastases. Intratumoral CXCL10 is a positive prognostic factor for response to immunotherapy, and the RNAscope technique is achievable using paraffin tissue. Strategies that support effector T cell recruitment via induction of CXCL10 should be considered as a mechanism-based intervention to expand immunotherapy efficacy.

Automated summary

In human melanoma metastases, CD45(+) cells and Sox10(+) cells are identified as the major cellular sources for CXCL10. CXCL10 within the tumor site serves as a positive prognostic factor for response to immunotherapy, and the use of RNAscope technique is feasible in paraffin tissue. Strategies supporting effector T cell recruitment through the induction of CXCL10 may enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy.