Immune checkpoint inhibitors increase T cell immunity during SARS-CoV-2 infection

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Nader Yatim1,2, Jeremy Boussier3, Pauline Tetu2

  • 1Translational Immunology Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, F-75015 Paris, France. celeste.lebbe@aphp.fr nader.yatim@aphp.fr.

Science Advances
|August 19, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) did not worsen COVID-19 in melanoma patients. Instead, ICI treatment enhanced antiviral T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 antigens without increasing inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on T cell immunity and immune checkpoints is not fully understood.
  • Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are crucial in melanoma treatment but their interaction with viral infections requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of ICIs on T cell immunity and COVID-19 outcomes in melanoma patients.
  • To analyze the transcriptomic, proteomic, and cellular profiles of COVID-19 patients treated with ICIs.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of 292 melanoma patients, with 15 diagnosed with COVID-19.
  • Transcriptomic, proteomic, and cellular profiling.
  • In-depth immunophenotyping and adaptive immunity evaluation.

Main Results:

  • ICI treatment was not linked to severe COVID-19 or altered inflammatory/interferon responses.
  • ICI-treated patients showed expanded CD8 effector memory T cells, heightened T cell activation, and reduced plasmablast induction.
  • Convalescent patients on ICIs exhibited stronger T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 spike, nucleoprotein, and membrane antigens.

Conclusions:

  • ICI treatment during COVID-19 enhances T cell immunity against SARS-CoV-2.
  • ICIs do not exacerbate inflammation in COVID-19 patients.
  • Findings suggest a potential benefit of ICIs in modulating antiviral adaptive immunity.

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