Neoplasia: An International Journal for Oncology Research (Oct 2022)

Targeting interleukin 4 receptor alpha on tumor-associated macrophages reduces the pro-tumor macrophage phenotype

  • Amber E. de Groot,
  • Kayla V. Myers,
  • Timothy E.G. Krueger,
  • W. Nathaniel Brennen,
  • Sarah R. Amend,
  • Kenneth J. Pienta

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 32
p. 100830

Abstract

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Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are an abundant tumor-promoting cell type in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Most TAMs exhibit a pro-tumor M2-like phenotype supportive of tumor growth, immune evasion, and metastasis. IL-4 and IL-13 are major cytokines that polarize macrophages to an M2 subset and share a common receptor, IL-4 receptor alpha (IL-4R alpha). Treatment of human ex vivo polarized M2 macrophages and M2 macrophage precursors with IL-4R alpha antagonist antibody Dupilumab (DupixentⓇ) reduces M2 macrophage features, including a shift in cell surface marker protein expression and gene expression. In animal models of prostate cancer, both pharmacologic inhibition of IL-4R alpha and genetic deletion of IL-4R alpha utilizing an Il4ra -/- mouse model result in decreased CD206 on TAMs. These data support IL-4R alpha as a target to reduce the pro-tumor, M2-like macrophage phenotype as a novel adjunct cancer therapy.

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