Sufficiency of CD40 activation and immune checkpoint blockade for T cell priming and tumor immunity

Significance We report that CD40 activation can provide an immunological “missing link” by priming T cells and synergizing with immune checkpoint blockade in a highly refractory pancreas cancer genetic mouse model. The underlying mechanism is mediated by CD40 ligation, representing an alternative molecular pathway distinct from pattern recognition receptor stimulation that connects dendritic cell activation to adaptive immunity, enabling T cell priming that is otherwise unachievable in pancreatic cancer.