T-cell activation enhances anti-HER2-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in gastric cancer

Abstract

Anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) is the standard first-line therapy for advanced HER2⁺ gastric cancer. However, resistance to anti-HER2 therapy remains a significant clinical challenge. In this study, we identified a novel resistance mechanism to anti-HER2 therapy in gastric cancer and proposed a strategy to enhance therapeutic efficacy by activating T cells. The association between intratumoral immune cells and clinical responses to anti-HER2 therapy in gastric cancer was investigated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were co-cultured with HER2⁺ gastric cancer cell lines or organoids to study NK cell responses mediated by anti-HER2 mAb. T cells were depleted or activated to assess their impact on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), and the mechanism by which T cells influence ADCC was examined. The combinatorial effects of anti-HER2 mAb and HER2 × CD3 T cell-engaging bispecific antibody (bsAb) in gastric cancer were evaluated. A total of 35 gastric cancer patients receiving anti-HER2 mAb treatment were enrolled. A higher number of intratumoral T cells were associated with greater tumor regression and improved overall survival following anti-HER2 mAb therapy. Mechanistically, T cells, mainly CD4⁺ T cells, influence NK cell functional and phenotypic changes via interleukin-2 (IL-2) production. Activating T cells by HER2 × CD3 T cell-engaging bsAb enhanced the anti-tumor effects of anti-HER2 mAb in gastric cancer. Our study identified the lack of T cell help as a novel resistance mechanism to anti-HER2 mAb in gastric cancer. Enhancing T cell help via the combination of HER2 × CD3 bsAb improved the therapeutic efficacy of anti-HER2 mAb in gastric cancer.