Interleukin-15/Interleukin-15Rα Complexes Promote Destruction of Established Tumors by Reviving Tumor-Resident CD8+ T Cells

Abstract

Tumors often escape immune-mediated destruction by suppressing lymphocyte infiltration or effector function. New approaches are needed that overcome this suppression and thereby augment the tumoricidal capacity of tumor-reactive lymphocytes. The cytokine interleukin-15 (IL-15) promotes proliferation and effector capacity of CD8⁺ T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and NKT cells; however, it has a short half-life and high doses are needed to achieve functional responses in vivo. The biological activity of IL-15 can be dramatically increased by complexing this cytokine to its soluble receptor, IL-15Rα. Here, we report that in vivo delivery of IL-15/IL-15Rα complexes triggers rapid and significant regression of established solid tumors in two murine models. Despite a marked expansion of IL-2/IL-15Rβ⁺ cells in lymphoid organs and peripheral blood following treatment with IL-15/IL-15Rα complexes, the destruction of solid tumors was orchestrated by tumor-resident rather than newly infiltrating CD8⁺ T cells. Our data provide novel insights into the use of IL-15/IL-15Rα complexes to relieve tumor-resident T cells from functional suppression by the tumor microenvironment and have significant implications for cancer immunotherapy and treatment of chronic infections. [Cancer Res 2008;68(8):2972–83]