An attenuated lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus vector enhances tumor control in mice partly via IFN-I.

Viral vectors are being used for the treatment of cancer. Yet their efficacy varies among tumors and their use poses challenges in immunosuppressed patients, underscoring the need for alternatives. We report striking antitumoral effects by a nonlytic viral vector based on attenuated lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (r3LCMV). We show in multiple tumor models that injection of tumor-bearing mice with this vector results in improved tumor control and survival. Importantly, r3LCMV improved tumor control in immunodeficient Rag1-/- mice and MyD88-/- mice, suggesting that multiple pathways contributed to the antitumoral effects. The antitumoral effects of r3LCMV were also observed when this vector was administered several weeks before tumor challenges, suggesting the induction of trained immunity. Single cell RNA-Seq analyses, antibody blockade experiments, and KO models revealed a critical role for host-intrinsic IFN-I in the antitumoral efficacy of r3LCMV vectors. Collectively, these data demonstrate potent antitumoral effects by r3LCMV vectors and unveil multiple mechanisms underlying their antitumoral efficacy.

Time-dependent enhancement of mRNA vaccines by 4-1BB costimulation.

mRNA vaccines have demonstrated efficacy against COVID-19. However, concerns regarding waning immunity and breakthrough infections have motivated the development of next-generation vaccines with enhanced efficacy. In this study, we investigated the impact of 4-1BB costimulation on immune responses elicited by mRNA vaccines in mice. We first vaccinated mice with an mRNA vaccine encoding the SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen like the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines, followed by administration of 4-1BB costimulatory antibodies at various times post-vaccination. Administering 4-1BB costimulatory antibodies during the priming phase did not enhance immune responses. However, administering 4-1BB costimulatory antibodies after 96 hours elicited a significant improvement in CD8 T cell responses, leading to enhanced protection against breakthrough infections. A similar improvement in immune responses was observed with multiple mRNA vaccines, including vaccines against common cold coronavirus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and arenavirus. These findings demonstrate a time-dependent effect by 4-1BB costimulation and provide insights for developing improved mRNA vaccines.

Replication-attenuated r3LCMV vectors potentiate tumor control via IFN-I.

Viral vectors are being used for the treatment of cancer. Yet their efficacy varies among tumors and their use poses challenges in immunosuppressed patients, underscoring the need for alternatives. We report striking antitumoral effects by a nonlytic viral vector based on attenuated lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (r3LCMV). We show in multiple tumor models that injection of tumor-bearing mice with this novel vector results in improved tumor control and survival. Importantly, r3LCMV also improved tumor control in immunodeficient Rag1-/- mice. Single cell RNA-Seq analyses, antibody blockade experiments, and KO models revealed a critical role for host IFN-I in the antitumoral efficacy of r3LCMV vectors. Collectively, these data demonstrate potent antitumoral effects by a replication-attenuated LCMV vector and unveil mechanisms underlying its antitumoral efficacy.

Pre-existing immunity modulates responses to mRNA boosters.

mRNA vaccines are effective in preventing severe COVID-19, but breakthrough infections, emerging variants, and waning immunity warrant the use of boosters. Although mRNA boosters are being implemented, the extent to which pre-existing immunity influences the efficacy of boosters remains unclear. In a cohort of individuals primed with the mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2 vaccines, we report that lower antibody levels before boost are associated with higher fold-increase in antibody levels after boost, suggesting that pre-existing antibody modulates the immunogenicity of mRNA vaccines. Our studies in mice show that pre-existing antibodies accelerate the clearance of vaccine antigen via Fc-dependent mechanisms, limiting the amount of antigen available to prime B cell responses after mRNA boosters. These data demonstrate a "tug of war" between pre-existing antibody responses and de novo B cell responses following mRNA vaccination, and they suggest that transient downmodulation of antibody effector function may improve the efficacy of mRNA boosters.