Ligation of the OX40 co‐stimulatory receptor reverses self‐Ag and tumor‐induced CD8 T‐cell anergy in vivo

Tumor‐specific CD8 T‐cell peripheral tolerance occurs through clonal deletion, suppression, and the induction of anergy and can limit the generation of anti‐tumor immunity. Several groups have demonstrated that prostate cancer can render tumor‐specific CD8 T cells anergic, suggesting reversing tumor‐induced anergy may greatly augment anti‐tumor immunity. Recent work has demonstrated that signaling through the OX40 (CD134) co‐stimulatory receptor, a member of the TNFR super‐family, can augment CD4 and CD8 T‐cell expansion, differentiation, and the generation of memory cells. However, whether OX40 ligation can reverse CD8 T‐cell anergy, and more specifically, tumor‐induced CD8 T‐cell anergy, remains unclear. In the current study, we demonstrate that OX40 ligation can reverse CD8 T‐cell anergy to a prostate‐specific self‐Ag in non‐tumor‐bearing hosts. Furthermore, OX40 engagement reversed tumor‐specific CD8 T‐cell anergy and restored the proliferative capacity of tumor‐reactive CD8 T cells, which attenuated tumor growth and enhanced the survival of tumor‐bearing hosts. These data demonstrate that OX40 ligation can rescue the function of anergic self‐ or tumor‐reactive CD8 T cells in vivo and suggests that OX40‐mediated therapy may provide a novel means of boosting anti‐tumor immunity by restoring the responsiveness of previously anergic tumor‐specific CD8 T cells.