DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/4T6X-J148
Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6445-4149
Defense Date
2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Microbiology & Immunology
First Advisor
Rebecca Martin
Second Advisor
Harry Bear
Third Advisor
Shawn Wang
Fourth Advisor
Huiping Zhou
Fifth Advisor
Kimberly Jefferson
Abstract
In immune-competent individuals, tumor growth occurs due to a failure of the immune system to recognize and destroy malignant cells. Immune surveillance can be curtailed by the presence of immunosuppressive cells such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and T-regulatory cells (Tregs) which both serve to dampen antitumor immunity. These studies utilize a metronomic low-dose therapeutic approach to examine the effects of anticancer drugs against murine breast cancer and the effects on the immune cell compartments. The focus of these studies revolve around the drug guadecitabine (guad), a second-generation DNA methyl-transferase inhibitor (DNMTi). DNMTi’s have been shown to dysregulate the methylation state responsible for gene silencing, which leads to an upregulation of many silenced genes including cancer associated antigens. Guad was initially combined with intratumoral injections of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides, which serve as a danger signal and initiates an immune response against antigens within the treated tumor. Dual treatment of CpG and guad showed decreased tumor burden in treated animals when compared to vehicle controls. Next, guad was combined with low doses of cyclophosphamide (cyp) which is a chemotherapy that has been shown to selectively deplete Tregs at low doses. This drug combination resulted in a depletion in splenic and tumor MDSCs and Tregs, increased CD8+ T cell function, increased tumor associated antigen expression, as well as reduction in tumor size in murine 4T1 and E0771 breast cancer models.
Rights
© Timothy M. Smith Jr.
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
12-4-2020