Cetuximab mediated NK cell cytotoxicity against triple negative breast cancer cells enhances dendritic cell maturation and uptake of tumor cells

JULIÁ, ESTEFANÍA PAULA; PAMPENA, MARÍA BETINA; ROCCA, YAMILA SOL; MORDOH, JOSÉ; LEVY, ESTRELLA MARIEL

Congreso; IV LASID Meeting LXIII Argentinean Immunology Society Meeting II French-Argentinean Immunology Meeting; 2015

BackgroundTriple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is associated with a high relapse rate; therefore the induction of a prolonged tumor specific T cell response might benefit TNBC patients. Previously, we demonstrated that Cetuximab can trigger antibody-dependent NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against TNBC cells expressing EGFR. However, the role of Cetuximab in initiating an adaptive immune response is less clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TNBC cell opsonization by Cetuximab and subsequent NK cell activation on Dendritic Cell (DC) function.MethodsHuman monocyte-derived DCs were co-cultured with autologous isolated NK cells, TNBC cells, and/or Cetuximab for 24hs. Costimulatory molecule expression and phagocytosis were analyzed by flow cytometry, and cytokine concentration in culture supernatants was assessed by ELISA.ResultsCetuximab treatment of TNBC cells enhanced DC maturation only when NK cells were present in the co-culture (%CD83+: 6.6±0.95 vs 56.9±22.3, p