Circulating exosomes measure responses to therapy in head and neck cancer patients treated with cetuximab, ipilimumab, and IMRT

Purpose: Exosomes, small extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from the endocytic compartment of their parent cells, are present in plasma of cancer patients and may serve as non-invasive biomarkers of disease outcome. Here, we asked whether tumor-derived (TEX) and/or T-cell derived exosomes can predict outcome in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients treated with oncological therapy. Materials and Methods: 18 HNSCC patients enrolled in phase I clinical trial and receiving a combination of cetuximab, ipilimumab and radiation therapy were serially monitored for TEX and T cell-derived exosomes. Exosomes isolated from plasma by size exclusion chromatography were fractionated into TEX and CD3 + T cell-derived exosomes by immunocapture. Exosome-associated proteins were quantified by on-bead flow cytometry. Exosome molecular cargos of patients whose tumors recurred within 2 years (N = 5) were compared to cargos of patients who remained disease free at 2 years (N = 13) after therapy. Results: The predictive value of the exosome molecular cargo for disease recurrence was evaluated pre-, during and post therapy. In patients whose disease recurred, total exosome proteins, TEX/total exosome ratios, total CD3+, CD3(-)PD-L1+ and CD3 + 15s+ (Treg-derived) exosomes increased from the baseline levels. In patients who remained disease free, total exosome protein and TEX levels decreased, CD3+ and CD3+ CD15s+ exosomes stabilized and CD3+ CTLA4+ exosomes declined after ipilimumab therapy. Conclusion: TEX and T cell-derived circulating exosomes instead of immune cells were used for monitoring of patients’ responses to oncological therapy. The results support the potential role of exosomes as a non-invasive tumor and immune cell biomarkers in cancer.