NK cells propagate T cell immunity following in situ tumor vaccination

We report an in situ vaccination, adaptable to nearly any type of cancer, that combines radiotherapy targeting one tumor and intratumoral injection of this site with tumor-specific antibody and interleukin-2 (IL-2; 3xTx). In a phase I clinical trial, administration of 3xTx (with an immunocytokine fusion of tumor-specific antibody and IL-2, hu14.18-IL2) to subjects with metastatic melanoma increases peripheral CD8⁺ T cell effector polyfunctionality. This suggests the potential for 3xTx to promote antitumor immunity against metastatic tumors. In poorly immunogenic syngeneic murine melanoma or head and neck carcinoma models, 3xTx stimulates CD8⁺ T cell-mediated antitumor responses at targeted and non-targeted tumors. During 3xTx treatment, natural killer (NK) cells promote CTLA4⁺ regulatory T cell (T_reg) apoptosis in non-targeted tumors. This is dependent on NK cell expression of CD86, which is upregulated downstream of KLRK1. NK cell depletion increases T_reg infiltration, diminishing CD8⁺ T cell-dependent antitumor response. These findings demonstrate that NK cells sustain and propagate CD8⁺ T cell immunity following 3xTx.