Evolution of the immune landscape during progression of pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms to invasive cancer

Susanne Roth; Katharina Zamzow; Matthias M. Gaida; Mathias Heikenwälder; Christine Tjaden; Ulf Hinz; Promita Bose; Christoph W. Michalski; Thilo Hackert

EBioMedicine (Apr 2020)

Evolution of the immune landscape during progression of pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms to invasive cancer

Susanne Roth,
Katharina Zamzow,
Matthias M. Gaida,
Mathias Heikenwälder,
Christine Tjaden,
Ulf Hinz,
Promita Bose,
Christoph W. Michalski,
Thilo Hackert

Affiliations

Susanne Roth: Department of Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; Corresponding author: Susanne Roth, Department of Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Katharina Zamzow: Department of Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
Matthias M. Gaida: Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
Mathias Heikenwälder: Division of Chronic Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
Christine Tjaden: Department of Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
Ulf Hinz: Department of Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
Promita Bose: Department of Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
Christoph W. Michalski: Department of Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Surgery, Halle University Hospital, Halle (Saale), Germany
Thilo Hackert: Department of Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 54

Abstract

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ABSTRACT: Background: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are precursor lesions of pancreatic cancer, which is characterized by an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Yet, the spatial distribution of the immune infiltrate and how it changes during IPMN progression is just beginning to be understood. Methods: We obtained tissue samples from patients who underwent pancreatic surgery for IPMN, and performed comprehensive immunohistochemical analyses to investigate the clinical significance, composition and spatial organization of the immune microenvironment during progression of IPMNs. Survival analysis of pancreatic cancer patients was stratified by tumour infiltrating immune cell subtypes. Findings: The immune microenvironment evolves from a diverse T cell mixture, comprising CD8+ T cells, Th/c1 and Th/c2 as major players combined with Th9, Th/c17, Th22, and Treg cells in low-grade IPMN, to a Treg dominated immunosuppressive state in invasive pancreatic cancer. Organized lymphoid clusters formed in IPMN surrounding stroma and accumulated immunosuppressive cell types during tumour progression. Survival of pancreatic cancer patients correlated with Th2 signatures in the tumour microenvironment. Interpretation: The major change with regards to T cell composition during IPMN progression occurs at the step of tissue invasion, indicating that malignant transformation only occurs when tumour immune surveillance is overcome. This suggests that novel immunotherapies that would boost spontaneous antitumor immunity at premalignant states could prevent pancreatic cancer development. Funding: The present work was supported by German Cancer Aid grants (70,112,720 and 70,113,167) to S. R., and the Olympia Morata Programme of the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University to S. R. Keywords: Pancreatic cancer, Premalignant lesion, Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, Tumour microenvironment, Tumour immunology

Published in EBioMedicine

ISSN: 2352-3964 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General)
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/ebiomedicine/

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