Myeloid-derived suppressor cell depletion therapy targets IL-17A-expressing mammary carcinomas

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an invasive subtype of breast cancer but paradoxically associated with increased tumor-infiltrating leukocytes. The molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying TNBC immunobiology are incompletely understood. Interleukin (IL)-17A is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that has both pro- and anti-tumor effects and found in 40-80% of TNBC samples. We report here that IL-17A mRNA and protein are detectable in some human TNBC cell lines and further upregulated by IL-23 and LPS stimulation. Furthermore, the impact of tumor-derived IL-17A in host immune response and tumor growth was examined using murine TNBC 4T1 mammary carcinoma cells transduced with an adenoviral vector expressing IL-17A (AdIL-17A) or control vector (Addl). Compared to Addl-transduction, AdIL-17A-transduction enhanced 4T1 tumor growth and lung metastasis in vivo, which was associated with a marked expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). However, AdIL-17A-transduction also induced strong organ-specific and time-dependent immune activation indicated by dynamic changes of NK cells, B cells, CD4, and CD8 T cells in peripheral blood, lung, and tumor site, as well as the plasma levels of IFNγ. Such findings highlight that tumor-associated IL-17A induces concurrent immune activation and immune suppression. Administration of anti-Gr1 or anti-G-CSF antibody effectively depleted MDSCs in vivo, markedly reducing the growth of AdIL-17A-transduced 4T1 tumors, and eliminating lung metastasis. Collectively, our study demonstrates that MDSC depletion is an effective and practical approach for treating IL-17A-enriched mammary carcinomas.