Poly(I:C) enhances the efficacy of phagocytosis checkpoint blockade immunotherapy by inducing IL-6 production

Abstract Macrophage phagocytosis plays essential roles in antitumor immunity. CD47/SIRPα phagocytosis checkpoint blockade has demonstrated therapeutic potential in several hematopoietic cancers, but recent clinical studies reported very limited efficacy against solid malignancies. Here, we show that polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly(I:C)), a synthetic analog of double-stranded RNA, enhances the antitumor activity of CD47 blockade in colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo. Poly(I:C) activation leads to a potent immune response characterized by the production of proinflammatory cytokines, especially IL-6. Stimulation with IL-6 promotes the PI3K signaling and cytoskeletal reorganization required for macrophage phagocytosis mediated by CD47 blockade. Our findings demonstrate the potential of Poly(I:C) to synergize the efficacy of CD47 blockade therapy and a novel role for IL-6 in macrophage phagocytosis, which provide new strategy for combinational cancer immunotherapy.