Ad-SGE-DKK3 Gene Therapy Overcomes Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Pleural Mesothelioma

Abstract

Purpose: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have limited efficacy in pleural mesothelioma. We investigated the role of Dickkopf WNT signaling pathway inhibitor 3 (DKK3) in overcoming treatment resistance.

Patients and methods: We performed preclinical studies to elucidate DKK3's role in ICI-resistant mouse mesothelioma. Based on these findings, we conducted a single-arm, phase II clinical trial of a combination of Ad-SGE-DKK3 and nivolumab for chemotherapy-refractory epithelioid pleural mesothelioma, with the objective response rate as the primary outcome.

Results: DKK3 was significantly reduced in human epithelioid mesothelioma. Overexpression of DKK3 in cancer cells activated the p53 pathway, enhanced glycolysis, increased surface PD-L1, and reduced extracellular vesicle secretion and the colony-stimulating factor 1. DKK3 sensitized the tumor immune microenvironment to ICIs and enabled the eradication of tumors by PD-1 blockade. In our trial, 12 patients received intratumoral Ad-SGE-DKK3 plus intravenous nivolumab. The objective response rate was 16.6%, and 41.7% had stable disease, for a 58.3% rate of durable clinical response. The median overall survival was 14.5 months, and the median progression-free survival was 4.5 months. Grade 3 adverse events occurred in 41.7% of patients. Serial tumor biopsies and serum analyses revealed that patients with durable clinical response had increased tumor-infiltrating bulk and effector memory CD8 T cells, reduced circulating memory CD8 T cells, and sustained lower soluble mesothelin and the colony-stimulating factor 1 levels compared with progressors.

Conclusions: Combination Ad-SGE-DKK3 plus nivolumab demonstrated a tolerable safety profile and potential efficacy in patients with chemotherapy-refractory epithelioid pleural mesothelioma.