Depression decreases immunity and PD-L1 inhibitor efficacy via the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis in triple-negative breast cancer

Abstract

Background

Depression weakens antitumor immunity, yet the underlying mechanisms linking depression and tumor growth remain unclear. This study examines the influence of depression on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, immunological function, and effectiveness of immunotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients.

Methods

A mouse model of comorbid TNBC and depression was established via chronic restraint stress (CRS) and 4T1 tumor transplantation. A programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor was used to manage mice with TNBC, and the ability of metyrapone to reverse the immune system changes induced by HPA axis activation in depression was evaluated. Mouse peripheral blood was used to measure HPA axis activity, immune cell numbers and cytokine levels.

Results

Depression activates the HPA axis, leading to increased levels of glucocorticoids. Depression led to an increase in the B-cell number and a reduction in the CD4⁺ T-cell and CD8⁺ T-cell numbers, without a statistically significant difference in the regulatory T (Treg) cell number. Furthermore, depression increased the levels of the cytokines interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α while decreasing the levels of IL-2 and IL-10. Similar results were observed in the context of PD-L1 inhibitor therapy. The depressed mice presented an increased tumor burden and a poor response to the PD-L1 inhibitor. The application of metyrapone during PD-L1 inhibitor treatment resulted in partial restoration of these depression-related alterations.

Conclusions

Depression reduces the effectiveness of PD-L1 inhibitors by altering the number of immune cells and the levels of cytokines through activation of the HPA axis.

Translational relevance

Depression is common in breast cancer patients and is associated with reduced antitumor immunity. There is limited knowledge regarding the specific mechanisms through which depression impairs antitumor immunity. Immunotherapy, which promotes the restoration of antitumor immunity, represents a promising treatment strategy for TNBC patients. However, the efficacy of immunotherapy can be compromised by depressive symptoms and the administration of glucocorticoids during treatment. It is still uncertain whether increasing glucocorticoid levels can reduce the efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with depression. The potential benefits of combining immunotherapy with glucocorticoid inhibitors compared with immunotherapy alone need to be evaluated for TNBC patients with concurrent depressive symptoms. Therefore, further clarification of the specific mechanisms by which depression impairs antitumor immunity is needed to inform future optimization of immunotherapy strategies.