skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Combined blockade of Tim-3 and MEK inhibitor enhances the efficacy against melanoma

Journal Article · · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [3];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Dept. of Clinical Laboratory, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022 (China)
  2. Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022 (China)
  3. Dept. of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022 (China)

Insights into the role of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and immune checkpoints have led combined targeted therapy and immunotherapy to be a promising regimen. Trametinib, as a mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) inhibitor, has demonstrated effectiveness in patients with advanced melanoma. T cell immunoglobulin- and mucin-domain-containing molecule-3 (Tim-3), an immune checkpoint molecule, participates in multiple negative regulation of antitumor immunity. We for the first time to our knowledge reported the combination of trametinib and anti-Tim-3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) in treating B16-F10 melanoma mice. We discovered that trametinib remarkably promoted apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation while inhibition of MEK improved the expression of Tim-3 and caused the decrease of CD8{sup +} T cells; to the contrary, anti-Tim-3 mAb enhanced antitumor immunity by stimulating CD8{sup +} T cells, thus the combined therapy produced potent antitumor effect cooperatively. Taken together, our study provides compelling evidence for combining trametinib and anti-Tim-3 mAb as a potential valuable regimen in treating melanoma. - Highlights: • The potent antitumor efficacy of combined trametinib and anti-Tim-3 mAb. • MEK inhibitor involves in up-regulation of Tim-3. • The combined medication provides new insights into melanoma treatment.

OSTI ID:
22696890
Journal Information:
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Vol. 484, Issue 2; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2017 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0006-291X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English