Immune-enhancing neutrophils reprogrammed by subclinical low-dose endotoxin in cancer treatment

Abstract

Despite the re-emergence of the pioneering “Coley’s toxin” concept in anti-cancer immune therapies highlighted by check-point inhibitors and CAR-T approaches, fundamental mechanisms responsible for the immune-enhancing efficacy of low-dose “Coley’s toxin” remain poorly understood. This study examines the novel reprogramming of immune-enhancing neutrophils by super-low dose endotoxin conducive for anti-cancer therapies. Through integrated analyses including scRNAseq and functional characterizations, we examined the efficacy of reprogrammed neutrophils in treating experimental cancer. We observed that neutrophils trained by super-low dose endotoxin adopt a potent immune-enhancing phenotype characterized by CD177loCD11bloCD80hiCD40hiDectin2hi. Both murine and human neutrophils trained by super-low dose endotoxin exhibit relieved suppression of adaptive T cells as compared to un-trained neutrophils. Functionally, neutrophils trained by super-low dose endotoxin can potently reduce tumor burden when transfused into recipient tumor-bearing mice. Mechanistically, Super-low dose endotoxin enables the generation of immune-enhancing neutrophils through activating STAT5 and reducing innate suppressor IRAK-M. Together, our data clarify the long-held mystery of “Coley’s toxin” in rejuvenating anti-tumor immune defense, and provide a proof-of-concept in developing innate neutrophil-based anti-tumor therapeutics.