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Distinct molecular and immune hallmarks of inflammatory arthritis induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer therapy

  • Sang T. Kim
  • , Yanshuo Chu
  • , Mercy Misoi
  • , Maria E. Suarez-Almazor
  • , Jean H. Tayar
  • , Huifang Lu
  • , Maryam Buni
  • , Jordan Kramer
  • , Emma Rodriguez
  • , Zulekha Hussain
  • , Sattva S. Neelapu
  • , Jennifer Wang
  • , Amishi Y. Shah
  • , Nizar M. Tannir
  • , Matthew T. Campbell
  • , Don L. Gibbons
  • , Tina Cascone
  • , Charles Lu
  • , George R. Blumenschein
  • , Mehmet Altan
  • Bora Lim, Vincente Valero, Monica E. Loghin, Janet Tu, Shannon N. Westin, Aung Naing, Guillermo Garcia-Manero, Noha Abdel-Wahab, Hussein A. Tawbi, Patrick Hwu, Isabella C.Glitza Oliva, Michael A. Davies, Sapna P. Patel, Jun Zou, Andrew Futreal, Adi Diab, Linghua Wang*, Roza Nurieva*
*Corresponding author for this work
  • University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • Baylor College of Medicine
  • Georgetown University
  • Assiut University
  • Moffitt Cancer Center

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including arthritis (arthritis-irAE). Management of arthritis-irAE is challenging because immunomodulatory therapy for arthritis should not impede antitumor immunity. Understanding of the mechanisms of arthritis-irAE is critical to overcome this challenge, but the pathophysiology remains unknown. Here, we comprehensively analyze peripheral blood and/or synovial fluid samples from 20 patients with arthritis-irAE, and unmask a prominent Th1-CD8+ T cell axis in both blood and inflamed joints. CX3CR1hi CD8+ T cells in blood and CXCR3hi CD8+ T cells in synovial fluid, the most clonally expanded T cells, significantly share TCR repertoires. The migration of blood CX3CR1hi CD8+ T cells into joints is possibly mediated by CXCL9/10/11/16 expressed by myeloid cells. Furthermore, arthritis after combined CTLA-4 and PD-1 inhibitor therapy preferentially has enhanced Th17 and transient Th1/Th17 cell signatures. Our data provide insights into the mechanisms, predictive biomarkers, and therapeutic targets for arthritis-irAE.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1970
JournalNature Communications
Volume13
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2022
Externally publishedYes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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