UC San Diego

Monocytes infiltrating tumors acquire various states that distinctly impact cancer treatment. Here, we show that resistance of tumors to radiotherapy (RT) is controlled by the accumulation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs). These moDCs are characterized by the expression of CD301b and have a superior capacity to generate regulatory T cells (Tregs). Accordingly, moDC depletion limits Treg generation and improves the therapeutic outcome of RT. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) derived from radioresistant tumor cells following RT is necessary for the accumulation of moDCs. Our results unravel the immunosuppressive function of moDCs and identify GM-CSF as an immunotherapeutic target during RT.