Resveratrol analog, HS-1793 enhance anti-tumor immunity by reducing the CD4+CD25 + regulatory T cells in FM3A tumor bearing mice

Natural agents with the immunomodulating property have been gaining traction to be employed in the complementary therapy of cancer because the ineffectiveness of numerous therapeutic strategies may be related in part to the tumor-induced immunosuppressive phenotypes, especially regulatory T (Treg) cells found in the tumor microenvironment. The present study was undertaken to examine whether HS-1793, synthetic resvertrol analog free from the restriction of metabolic instability and high dose requirement of resveratrol, induces an in vivo anti-tumor effect in FM3A tumor bearing mice through the suppression of Treg cells, which contribute to an increase in tumor specific cytotoxic T cell responses. Intraperitoneal injections of HS-1793 showed not only therapeutic benefits on established tumors, but also preventive anti-tumor effects. Treg cells (CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3 + cells) were significantly reduced in the total splenocytes as well as tumor tissues from HS-1793-administered mice, and the production of TGF-β inducing Treg showed a similar pattern. On the contrary, the administration of HS-1793 increased IFN-γ-expressing CD8 + T cells, upregulated IFN-γ production, and enhanced the cytotoxicity of splenocytes against FM3A tumor cells both in therapeutic and preventive experimental animals. These results demonstrated the suppressive role of HS-1793 on the function of Treg cells contributing to tumor specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in tumor-bearing mice, which explained the underlying mechanism of the anti-tumor immunity of HS-1793.

► HS-1793 shows anti-tumor activity in FM3A tumor bearing mice. ► HS-1793 suppresses Treg cells in FM3A tumor bearing mice. ► HS-1793 enhances anti-tumor immunity in FM3A tumor bearing mice.