Oncogene-Targeting T Cells Reject Large Tumors while Oncogene Inactivation Selects Escape Variants in Mouse Models of Cancer

SummaryThe genetic instability of cancer cells frequently causes drug resistance. We established mouse cancer models, which allowed targeting of an oncogene by drug-mediated inactivation or monospecific CD8+ effector T (TE) cells. Drug treatment of genetically unstable large tumors was effective but selected resistant clones in the long term. In contrast, TE cells completely rejected large tumors (≥500 mm3), if the target antigen was cancer-driving and expressed in sufficient amounts. Although drug-mediated oncogene inactivation selectively killed the cancer cells and left the tumor vasculature intact, which likely facilitated survival and growth of resistant clones, TE cell treatment led to blood vessel destruction and probably “bystander” elimination of escape variants, which did not require antigen cross-presentation by stromal cells.

► A cancer-driving bioluminescent oncogene is targeted by drug or T cells
► Both forms of therapy are highly effective in destroying clinical size tumors
► Drug but not T cell therapy selects escape variants
► T cell but not drug therapy destroys the tumor vasculature