Cited by 171Cancer Immunotherapy and BiomarkersImmunotherapy and Immune ResponsesT-cell and B-cell Immunology

The Glutaminase Inhibitor CB-839 (Telaglenastat) Enhances the Antimelanoma Activity of T-Cell–Mediated Immunotherapies

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Varghese, Sruthy, Pramanik, Snigdha, Williams, Leila J., Hodges, Hannah R., Hudgens, Courtney W., Fischer, Grant M., Luo, Catherine K., Knighton, Barbara +8 more·2021·Molecular Cancer Therapeutics

Published version of a preprint

Abstract

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapies have profoundly improved the survival of patients with melanoma. However, a majority of patients do not respond to these agents, and many responders experience disease relapse. Although numerous innovative treatments are being explored to offset the limitations of these agents, novel therapeutic combinations with immunotherapies have the potential to improve patient responses. In this study, we evaluated the antimelanoma activity of immunotherapy combinations with Telaglenastat (CB-839), a potent glutaminase inhibitor (GLSi) that has favorable systemic tolerance. In in vitro TIL:tumor coculture studies, CB-839 treatment improved the cytotoxic activity of autologous TILs on patient-derived melanoma cells. CB-839 treatment decreased the conversion of glutamine to alpha-ketoglutarate (αKGA) more potently in tumor cells versus TILs in these cocultures. These results suggest that CB-839 may improve immune function in a tumor microenvironment by differentially altering tumor and immune cell metabolism. In vivo CB-839 treatment activated melanoma antigen–specific T cells and improved their tumor killing activity in an immune-competent mouse model of adoptive T-cell therapy. Additionally, the combination of CB-839 with anti-PD1 or anti-CTLA4 antibodies increased tumor infiltration by effector T cells and improved the antitumor activity of these checkpoint inhibitors in a high mutation burden mouse melanoma model. Responsiveness to these treatments was also accompanied by an increase of interferon gamma (IFNγ)–associated gene expression in the tumors. Together, these results provide a strong rationale for combining CB-839 with immune therapies to improve efficacy of these treatments against melanoma.

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Authors
Varghese, S., Pramanik, S., Williams, L. J., Hodges, H. R., Hudgens, C. W., Fischer, G. M., Luo, C. K., Knighton, B., Tan, L., Lorenzi, P. L., Mackinnon, A. L., McQuade, J. L., Hailemichael, Y., Roszik, J., Peng, W., & Vashisht Gopal, Y. N.
Affiliations
  • The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (US)
  • Calithera (United States) (US)
  • University of Houston (US)
  • 1Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX.
Venue
Molecular Cancer Therapeutics
Published
2021-03-01
Volume
20
Issue
3
Pages
500-511
ISSN
  • 1535-7163 (ISSN-L)
  • 1538-8514
OpenAlex
W3116829754
Cited by
171
References
35
Citations by year
2026: 31 · 2025: 50 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 11
FWCI
4.88
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Molecular Cancer Therapeutics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Melanoma Research Alliance (348483)
  • Calithera Biosciences (55350)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › T-cell and B-cell Immunology
Keywords
CB-839, telaglenastat, glutaminase inhibitors, melanoma, adoptive T cell therapy, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, immune checkpoint inhibitors, anti-PD-1, anti-CTLA-4, alpha-ketoglutarate, cancer metabolism, interferon-gamma, tumor microenvironment, combination immunotherapy
MeSH terms
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors, Animals, Glutaminase, Humans, Immunotherapy, Melanoma, T-Lymphocytes, Mice, Tumor Microenvironment

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