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Wang D, Wang W, Song M, Xie Y, Kuang W, Yang P. Regulation of protein phosphorylation by PTPN2 and its small-molecule inhibitors/degraders as a potential disease treatment strategy. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 277:116774. [PMID: 39178726 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
Protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 2 (PTPN2) is an enzyme that dephosphorylates proteins with tyrosine residues, thereby modulating relevant signaling pathways in vivo. PTPN2 acts as tumor suppressor or tumor promoter depending on the context. In some cancers, such as colorectal, and lung cancer, PTPN2 defects could impair the protein tyrosine kinase pathway, which is often over-activated in cancer cells, and inhibit tumor development and progression. However, PTPN2 can also suppress tumor immunity by regulating immune cells and cytokines. The structure, functions, and substrates of PTPN2 in various tumor cells were reviewed in this paper. And we summarized the research status of small molecule inhibitors and degraders of PTPN2. It also highlights the potential opportunities and challenges for developing PTPN2 inhibitors as anticancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Wenmu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Mingge Song
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yishi Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Wenbin Kuang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Peng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiang Su Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Institute of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
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2
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Zheng J, Zhang Z, Ding X, Sun D, Min L, Wang F, Shi S, Cai X, Zhang M, Aliper A, Ren F, Ding X, Zhavoronkov A. Synthesis and structure-activity optimization of azepane-containing derivatives as PTPN2/PTPN1 inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 270:116390. [PMID: 38604096 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Protein tyrosine phosphatases PTPN2 and PTPN1 (also known as PTP1B) have been implicated in a number of intracellular signaling pathways of immune cells. The inhibition of PTPN2 and PTPN1 has emerged as an attractive approach to sensitize T cell anti-tumor immunity. Two small molecule inhibitors have been entered the clinic. Here we report the design and development of compound 4, a novel small molecule PTPN2/N1 inhibitor demonstrating nanomolar inhibitory potency, good in vivo oral bioavailability, and robust in vivo antitumor efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamin Zheng
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd, Suite 901, Tower C, Changtai Plaza, 2889 Jinke Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Zhisen Zhang
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd, Suite 901, Tower C, Changtai Plaza, 2889 Jinke Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiaoyu Ding
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd, Suite 901, Tower C, Changtai Plaza, 2889 Jinke Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Deheng Sun
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd, Suite 901, Tower C, Changtai Plaza, 2889 Jinke Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lihua Min
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd, Suite 901, Tower C, Changtai Plaza, 2889 Jinke Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd, Suite 901, Tower C, Changtai Plaza, 2889 Jinke Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Sujing Shi
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd, Suite 901, Tower C, Changtai Plaza, 2889 Jinke Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xin Cai
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd, Suite 901, Tower C, Changtai Plaza, 2889 Jinke Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Man Zhang
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd, Suite 901, Tower C, Changtai Plaza, 2889 Jinke Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Alex Aliper
- Insilico Medicine AI Limited, Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, 145748, United Arab Emirates
| | - Feng Ren
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd, Suite 901, Tower C, Changtai Plaza, 2889 Jinke Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiao Ding
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd, Suite 901, Tower C, Changtai Plaza, 2889 Jinke Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Alex Zhavoronkov
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd, Suite 901, Tower C, Changtai Plaza, 2889 Jinke Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201203, China; Insilico Medicine AI Limited, Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, 145748, United Arab Emirates.
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3
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Miao J, Zhang ZY. Drugging Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases through Targeted Protein Degradation. ChemMedChem 2024; 19:e202300669. [PMID: 38233347 PMCID: PMC11021144 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202300669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are an important class of enzymes that regulate protein tyrosine phosphorylation levels of a large variety of proteins in cells. Anomalies in protein tyrosine phosphorylation have been associated with the development of numerous human diseases, leading to a heightened interest in PTPs as promising targets for drug development. However, therapeutic targeting of PTPs has faced skepticism about their druggability. Besides the conventional small molecule inhibitors, proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology offers an alternative approach to target PTPs. PROTAC molecules utilize the ubiquitin-proteasome system to degrade specific proteins and have unique advantages compared with inhibitors: 1) PROTACs are highly efficient and can work at much lower concentrations than that expected based on their biophysical binding affinity; 2) PROTACs may achieve higher selectivity for the targeted protein than that dictated by their binding affinity alone; and 3) PROTACs may engage any region of the target protein in addition to the functional site. This review focuses on the latest advancement in the development of targeted PTP degraders and deliberates on the obstacles and prospective paths of harnessing this technology for therapeutic targeting of the PTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinmin Miao
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Zhong-Yin Zhang
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Department of Chemistry, 560 Oval Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, 201 S. University Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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4
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Ciavattone NG, Guan N, Farfel A, Stauff J, Desmond T, Viglianti BL, Scott PJ, Brooks AF, Luker GD. Evaluating immunotherapeutic outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer with a cholesterol radiotracer in mice. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e175320. [PMID: 38502228 PMCID: PMC11141879 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.175320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Evaluating the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remains an unmet challenge in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The requirement for cholesterol in the activation and function of T cells led us to hypothesize that quantifying cellular accumulation of this molecule could distinguish successful from ineffective checkpoint immunotherapy. To analyze accumulation of cholesterol by T cells in the immune microenvironment of breast cancer, we leveraged the PET radiotracer, eFNP-59. eFNP-59 is an analog of cholesterol that our group validated as an imaging biomarker for cholesterol uptake in preclinical models and initial human studies. In immunocompetent mouse models of TNBC, we found that elevated uptake of exogenous labeled cholesterol analogs functions as a marker for T cell activation. When comparing ICI-responsive and -nonresponsive tumors directly, uptake of fluorescent cholesterol and eFNP-59 increased in T cells from ICI-responsive tumors. We discovered that accumulation of cholesterol by T cells increased in ICI-responding tumors that received anti-PD-1 checkpoint immunotherapy. In patients with TNBC, tumors containing cycling T cells had features of cholesterol uptake and trafficking within those populations. These results suggest that uptake of exogenous cholesterol analogs by tumor-infiltrating T cells allows detection of T cell activation and has potential to assess the success of ICI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gary D Luker
- Department of Radiology, and
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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5
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Wilson NS, Huntington ND. Small molecule. Big biology. Dual phosphatase inhibitor enters the immunotherapy fray. Immunol Cell Biol 2024; 102:8-11. [PMID: 37982351 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
The advent and clinical success of immune checkpoint inhibitors Ipilimumab, Nivolumab and Pembrolizumab has had a seismic impact on our drug discovery focus and rationale. Novel extrinsic targets that enhance immune responses to cancer are actively being pursued, while tumor intrinsic targets that render cancer cells more sensitive to the immune system have joined traditional intrinsic targets (e.g. directly cytotoxic) in the drug discovery pipeline. The phosphatase PTPN2 (TC-PTP) and its paralog PTPN1 (PTP-1B) are negative regulators of several cytokine signaling pathways and T cell receptor (TCR) signaling. In a recent publication, Baumgartner et al. demonstrate the pre-clinical efficacy of a first-in-class dual PTPN1/N2 active site inhibitor (ABBV-CLS-484/AC484) in cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas S Wilson
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Cancer Immunology and Cell Therapy Thematic Research Centre, Redwood City, CL, USA
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6
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LaFleur MW, Lemmen AM, Streeter ISL, Nguyen TH, Milling LE, Derosia NM, Hoffman ZM, Gillis JE, Tjokrosurjo Q, Markson SC, Huang AY, Anekal PV, Montero Llopis P, Haining WN, Doench JG, Sharpe AH. X-CHIME enables combinatorial, inducible, lineage-specific and sequential knockout of genes in the immune system. Nat Immunol 2024; 25:178-188. [PMID: 38012416 PMCID: PMC10881062 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-023-01689-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Annotation of immunologic gene function in vivo typically requires the generation of knockout mice, which is time consuming and low throughput. We previously developed CHimeric IMmune Editing (CHIME), a CRISPR-Cas9 bone marrow delivery system for constitutive, ubiquitous deletion of single genes. Here we describe X-CHIME, four new CHIME-based systems for modular and rapid interrogation of gene function combinatorially (C-CHIME), inducibly (I-CHIME), lineage-specifically (L-CHIME) or sequentially (S-CHIME). We use C-CHIME and S-CHIME to assess the consequences of combined deletion of Ptpn1 and Ptpn2, an embryonic lethal gene pair, in adult mice. We find that constitutive deletion of both PTPN1 and PTPN2 leads to bone marrow hypoplasia and lethality, while inducible deletion after immune development leads to enteritis and lethality. These findings demonstrate that X-CHIME can be used for rapid mechanistic evaluation of genes in distinct in vivo contexts and that PTPN1 and PTPN2 have some functional redundancy important for viability in adult mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin W LaFleur
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ashlyn M Lemmen
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ivy S L Streeter
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thao H Nguyen
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lauren E Milling
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole M Derosia
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zachary M Hoffman
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jacob E Gillis
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Qin Tjokrosurjo
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samuel C Markson
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amy Y Huang
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - John G Doench
- Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Arlene H Sharpe
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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7
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Qu Z, Dong J, Zhang ZY. Protein tyrosine phosphatases as emerging targets for cancer immunotherapy. Br J Pharmacol 2023:10.1111/bph.16304. [PMID: 38116815 PMCID: PMC11186978 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Contemporary strategies in cancer immunotherapy, despite remarkable success, remain constrained by inherent limitations such as suboptimal patient responses, the emergence of drug resistance, and the manifestation of pronounced adverse effects. Consequently, the need for alternative strategies for immunotherapy becomes clear. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) wield a pivotal regulatory influence over an array of essential cellular processes. Substantial research has underscored the potential in targeting PTPs to modulate the immune responses and/or regulate antigen presentation, thereby presenting a novel paradigm for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we focus on recent advances in genetic and biological validation of several PTPs as emerging targets for immunotherapy. We also highlight recent development of small molecule inhibitors and degraders targeting these PTPs as novel cancer immunotherapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihan Qu
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Jiajun Dong
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Zhong-Yin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Borch Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, 720 Clinic Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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8
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Miao J, Dong J, Miao Y, Bai Y, Qu Z, Jassim BA, Huang B, Nguyen Q, Ma Y, Murray AA, Li J, Low PS, Zhang ZY. Discovery of a selective TC-PTP degrader for cancer immunotherapy. Chem Sci 2023; 14:12606-12614. [PMID: 38020389 PMCID: PMC10646932 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc04541b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TC-PTP), encoded by PTPN2, has emerged as a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. TC-PTP deletion in B16 melanoma cells promotes tumor cell antigen presentation, while loss of TC-PTP in T-cells enhances T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling and stimulates cell proliferation and activation. Therefore, there is keen interest in developing TC-PTP inhibitors as novel immunotherapeutic agents. Through rational design and systematic screening, we discovered the first highly potent and selective TC-PTP PROTAC degrader, TP1L, which induces degradation of TC-PTP in multiple cell lines with low nanomolar DC50s and >110-fold selectivity over the closely related PTP1B. TP1L elevates the phosphorylation level of TC-PTP substrates including pSTAT1 and pJAK1, while pJAK2, the substrate of PTP1B, is unaffected by the TC-PTP degrader. TP1L also intensifies interferon gamma (IFN-γ) signaling and increases MHC-I expression. In Jurkat cells, TP1L activates TCR signaling through increased phosphorylation of LCK. Furthermore, in a CAR-T cell and KB tumor cell co-culture model, TP1L enhances CAR-T cell mediated tumor killing efficacy through activation of the CAR-T cells. Thus, we surmise that TP1L not only provides a unique opportunity for in-depth interrogation of TC-PTP biology but also serves as an excellent starting point for the development of novel immunotherapeutic agents targeting TC-PTP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinmin Miao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
| | - Jiajun Dong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
| | - Yiming Miao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
| | - Yunpeng Bai
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
| | - Zihan Qu
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
| | - Brenson A Jassim
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
| | - Quyen Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
| | - Yuan Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
| | - Allison A Murray
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
| | - Jinyue Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
| | - Philip S Low
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
- Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
| | - Zhong-Yin Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
- Institute for Cancer Research, Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
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9
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Schlicher L, Green LG, Romagnani A, Renner F. Small molecule inhibitors for cancer immunotherapy and associated biomarkers - the current status. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1297175. [PMID: 38022587 PMCID: PMC10644399 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1297175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Following the success of cancer immunotherapy using large molecules against immune checkpoint inhibitors, the concept of using small molecules to interfere with intracellular negative regulators of anti-tumor immune responses has emerged in recent years. The main targets for small molecule drugs currently include enzymes of negative feedback loops in signaling pathways of immune cells and proteins that promote immunosuppressive signals within the tumor microenvironment. In the adaptive immune system, negative regulators of T cell receptor signaling (MAP4K1, DGKα/ζ, CBL-B, PTPN2, PTPN22, SHP1), co-receptor signaling (CBL-B) and cytokine signaling (PTPN2) have been preclinically validated as promising targets and initial clinical trials with small molecule inhibitors are underway. To enhance innate anti-tumor immune responses, inhibitory immunomodulation of cGAS/STING has been in the focus, and inhibitors of ENPP1 and TREX1 have reached the clinic. In addition, immunosuppressive signals via adenosine can be counteracted by CD39 and CD73 inhibition, while suppression via intratumoral immunosuppressive prostaglandin E can be targeted by EP2/EP4 antagonists. Here, we present the status of the most promising small molecule drug candidates for cancer immunotherapy, all residing relatively early in development, and the potential of relevant biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Schlicher
- Cancer Cell Targeted Therapy, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Luke G. Green
- Therapeutic Modalities, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Romagnani
- Cancer Cell Targeted Therapy, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Florian Renner
- Cancer Cell Targeted Therapy, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland
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10
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Ciavattone NG, Guan J, Farfel A, Desmond T, Viglianti BL, Scott PJ, Brooks AF, Luker GD. Predicting efficacy of immunotherapy in mice with triple negative breast cancer using a cholesterol PET radiotracer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.02.560577. [PMID: 37873149 PMCID: PMC10592945 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.02.560577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Predicting the response to cancer immunotherapy remains an unmet challenge in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and other malignancies. T cells, the major target of current checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapies, accumulate cholesterol during activation to support proliferation and signaling. The requirement of cholesterol for anti-tumor functions of T cells led us to hypothesize that quantifying cellular accumulation of this molecule could distinguish successful from ineffective checkpoint immunotherapy. To analyze accumulation of cholesterol by T cells in the immune microenvironment of breast cancer, we leveraged a novel positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer, FNP-59. FNP-59 is an analog of cholesterol that our group has validated as an imaging biomarker for cholesterol uptake in pre-clinical models and initial human studies. In immunocompetent mouse models of TNBC, we found that elevated uptake of exogenous labeled cholesterol analogs functions as a marker for T cell activation. When comparing immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-responsive EO771 tumors to non-responsive AT-3 tumors, we found significantly higher uptake of a fluorescent cholesterol analog in T cells of the ICI-responsive tumors both in vitro and in vivo. Using the FNP-59 radiotracer, we discovered that accumulation of cholesterol by T cells increased further in ICI-responding tumors that received ant-PD-1 checkpoint immunotherapy. We verified these data by mining single cell sequencing data from patients with TNBC. Patients with tumors containing cycling T cells showed gene expression signatures of cholesterol uptake and trafficking. These results suggest that uptake of exogenous cholesterol analogs by tumor-infiltrating T cells predict T cell activation and success of ICI therapy.
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11
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Sudholz H, Delconte RB, Huntington ND. Interleukin-15 cytokine checkpoints in natural killer cell anti-tumor immunity. Curr Opin Immunol 2023; 84:102364. [PMID: 37451129 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2023.102364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Over recent years, the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has progressed to first and second-line treatments in several cancer types, transforming patient outcomes. While these treatments target T cell checkpoints, such as PD-1, LAG3 and CTLA-4, their efficacy can be compromised through adaptive resistance whereby tumors acquire mutations in genes regulating neoantigen presentation by MHC-I [93]. ICI-responsive tumor types such as advanced metastatic melanoma typically have a high mutational burden and immune infiltration; however, most patients still do not benefit from ICI monotherapy for a number of reasons [94]. This highlights the need for novel immunotherapy strategies that evoke the immune control of tumor cells with low neoantigen/MHC-I expression, overcome immune suppressive tumor microenvironments and promote tumor inflammation. In this regard, targeting natural killer (NK) cells may offer a solution to some of these bottlenecks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison Sudholz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Rebecca B Delconte
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10065, USA
| | - Nicholas D Huntington
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; oNKo-Innate Pty Ltd, Moonee Ponds, Victoria 3039, Australia.
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12
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Liang S, Tran E, Du X, Dong J, Sudholz H, Chen H, Qu Z, Huntington ND, Babon JJ, Kershaw NJ, Zhang ZY, Baell JB, Wiede F, Tiganis T. A small molecule inhibitor of PTP1B and PTPN2 enhances T cell anti-tumor immunity. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4524. [PMID: 37500611 PMCID: PMC10374545 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40170-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatases 1B (PTP1B) and N2 (PTPN2) has emerged as an exciting approach for bolstering T cell anti-tumor immunity. ABBV-CLS-484 is a PTP1B/PTPN2 inhibitor in clinical trials for solid tumors. Here we have explored the therapeutic potential of a related small-molecule-inhibitor, Compound-182. We demonstrate that Compound-182 is a highly potent and selective active site competitive inhibitor of PTP1B and PTPN2 that enhances T cell recruitment and activation and represses the growth of tumors in mice, without promoting overt immune-related toxicities. The enhanced anti-tumor immunity in immunogenic tumors can be ascribed to the inhibition of PTP1B/PTPN2 in T cells, whereas in cold tumors, Compound-182 elicited direct effects on both tumor cells and T cells. Importantly, treatment with Compound-182 rendered otherwise resistant tumors sensitive to α-PD-1 therapy. Our findings establish the potential for small molecule inhibitors of PTP1B and PTPN2 to enhance anti-tumor immunity and combat cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuwei Liang
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Eric Tran
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Xin Du
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Jiajun Dong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Harrison Sudholz
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Hao Chen
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Zihan Qu
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Nicholas D Huntington
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Jeffrey J Babon
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Nadia J Kershaw
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Zhong-Yin Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Jonathan B Baell
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
- Lyterian Therapeutics, South San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94080, USA
| | - Florian Wiede
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
| | - Tony Tiganis
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia.
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13
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Liang S, Tran E, Du X, Dong J, Sudholz H, Chen H, Qu Z, Huntington N, Babon J, Kershaw N, Zhang ZY, Baell J, Wiede F, Tiganis T. A small molecule inhibitor of PTP1B and PTPN2 enhances T cell anti-tumor immunity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.16.545220. [PMID: 37397992 PMCID: PMC10312756 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.16.545220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
The inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), such as PTP1B and PTPN2 that function as intracellular checkpoints, has emerged as an exciting new approach for bolstering T cell anti-tumor immunity to combat cancer. ABBV-CLS-484 is a dual PTP1B and PTPN2 inhibitor currently in clinical trials for solid tumors. Here we have explored the therapeutic potential of targeting PTP1B and PTPN2 with a related small molecule inhibitor, Compound 182. We demonstrate that Compound 182 is a highly potent and selective active site competitive inhibitor of PTP1B and PTPN2 that enhances antigen-induced T cell activation and expansion ex vivo and represses the growth of syngeneic tumors in C57BL/6 mice without promoting overt immune-related toxicities. Compound 182 repressed the growth of immunogenic MC38 colorectal and AT3-OVA mammary tumors as well as immunologically cold AT3 mammary tumors that are largely devoid of T cells. Treatment with Compound 182 increased both the infiltration and activation of T cells, as well as the recruitment of NK cells and B cells that promote anti-tumor immunity. The enhanced anti-tumor immunity in immunogenic AT3-OVA tumors could be ascribed largely to the inhibition of PTP1B/PTPN2 in T cells, whereas in cold AT3 tumors, Compound 182 elicited both direct effects on tumor cells and T cells to facilitate T cell recruitment and thereon activation. Importantly, treatment with Compound 182 rendered otherwise resistant AT3 tumors sensitive to anti-PD1 therapy. Our findings establish the potential for small molecule active site inhibitors of PTP1B and PTPN2 to enhance anti-tumor immunity and combat cancer.
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Dong J, Miao J, Miao Y, Qu Z, Zhang S, Zhu P, Wiede F, Jassim BA, Bai Y, Nguyen Q, Lin J, Chen L, Tiganis T, Tao WA, Zhang ZY. Small Molecule Degraders of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B and T-Cell Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase for Cancer Immunotherapy. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202303818. [PMID: 36973833 PMCID: PMC10196813 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202303818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TC-PTP) play non-redundant negative regulatory roles in T-cell activation, tumor antigen presentation, insulin and leptin signaling, and are potential targets for several therapeutic applications. Here, we report the development of a highly potent and selective small molecule degrader DU-14 for both PTP1B and TC-PTP. DU-14 mediated PTP1B and TC-PTP degradation requires both target protein(s) and VHL E3 ligase engagement and is also ubiquitination- and proteasome-dependent. DU-14 enhances IFN-γ induced JAK1/2-STAT1 pathway activation and promotes MHC-I expression in tumor cells. DU-14 also activates CD8+ T-cells and augments STAT1 and STAT5 phosphorylation. Importantly, DU-14 induces PTP1B and TC-PTP degradation in vivo and suppresses MC38 syngeneic tumor growth. The results indicate that DU-14, as the first PTP1B and TC-PTP dual degrader, merits further development for treating cancer and other indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Dong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Jinmin Miao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Yiming Miao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Zihan Qu
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Peipei Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Florian Wiede
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Brenson A. Jassim
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Yunpeng Bai
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Quyen Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Jianping Lin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Lan Chen
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Tony Tiganis
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - W. Andy Tao
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Zhong-Yin Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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15
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Mortaezaee K, Majidpoor J. Mechanisms of CD8 + T cell exclusion and dysfunction in cancer resistance to anti-PD-(L)1. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 163:114824. [PMID: 37141735 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
CD8+ T cells are the front-line defensive cells against cancer. Reduced infiltration and effector function of CD8+ T cells occurs in cancer and is contributed to defective immunity and immunotherapy resistance. Exclusion and exhaustion of CD8+ T cells are the two key factors associated with reduced durability of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. Initially activated T cells upon exposure to chronic antigen stimulation or immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) acquire a hyporesponsive state that progressively lose their effector function. Thus, a key strategy in cancer immunotherapy is to look for factors contributed to defective CD8+ T cell infiltration and function. Targeting such factors can define a promising supplementary approach in patients receiving anti-programmed death-1 receptor (PD-1)/anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapy. Recently, bispecific antibodies are developed against PD-(L)1 and a dominant factor within TME, representing higher safety profile and exerting more desired outcomes. The focus of this review is to discuss about promoters of deficient infiltration and effector function of CD8+ T cells and their addressing in cancer ICI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keywan Mortaezaee
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
| | - Jamal Majidpoor
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
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16
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Laletin V, Bernard PL, Costa da Silva C, Guittard G, Nunes JA. Negative intracellular regulators of T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling as potential antitumor immunotherapy targets. J Immunother Cancer 2023; 11:jitc-2022-005845. [PMID: 37217244 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy strategies aim to mobilize immune defenses against tumor cells by targeting mainly T cells. Co-inhibitory receptors or immune checkpoints (ICPs) (such as PD-1 and CTLA4) can limit T cell receptor (TCR) signal propagation in T cells. Antibody-based blocking of immune checkpoints (immune checkpoint inhibitors, ICIs) enable escape from ICP inhibition of TCR signaling. ICI therapies have significantly impacted the prognosis and survival of patients with cancer. However, many patients remain refractory to these treatments. Thus, alternative approaches for cancer immunotherapy are needed. In addition to membrane-associated inhibitory molecules, a growing number of intracellular molecules may also serve to downregulate signaling cascades triggered by TCR engagement. These molecules are known as intracellular immune checkpoints (iICPs). Blocking the expression or the activity of these intracellular negative signaling molecules is a novel field of action to boost T cell-mediated antitumor responses. This area is rapidly expanding. Indeed, more than 30 different potential iICPs have been identified. Over the past 5 years, several phase I/II clinical trials targeting iICPs in T cells have been registered. In this study, we summarize recent preclinical and clinical data demonstrating that immunotherapies targeting T cell iICPs can mediate regression of solid tumors including (membrane associated) immune-checkpoint inhibitor refractory cancers. Finally, we discuss how these iICPs are targeted and controlled. Thereby, iICP inhibition is a promising strategy opening new avenues for future cancer immunotherapy treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Laletin
- Immunity and Cancer, Cancer Research Centre Marseille, Marseille, France
- Onco-hematology and immuno-oncology (OHIO), Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Pierre-Louis Bernard
- Immunity and Cancer, Cancer Research Centre Marseille, Marseille, France
- Onco-hematology and immuno-oncology (OHIO), Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Cathy Costa da Silva
- Immunity and Cancer, Cancer Research Centre Marseille, Marseille, France
- Onco-hematology and immuno-oncology (OHIO), Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Geoffrey Guittard
- Immunity and Cancer, Cancer Research Centre Marseille, Marseille, France
- Onco-hematology and immuno-oncology (OHIO), Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Jacques A Nunes
- Immunity and Cancer, Cancer Research Centre Marseille, Marseille, France
- Onco-hematology and immuno-oncology (OHIO), Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Marseille, France
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17
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Tang X, Sui X, Liu Y. Immune checkpoint PTPN2 predicts prognosis and immunotherapy response in human cancers. Heliyon 2023; 9:e12873. [PMID: 36685446 PMCID: PMC9852697 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e12873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background PTPN2, a member of the non-receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases family, holds a crucial role in tumorigenesis and cancer immunotherapy. However, most studies on the role of PTPN2 in cancer are limited to specific cancer types. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of PTPN2 in human cancers and its function in the tumor microenvironment. Methods To shed light on this matter, we investigated the expression level, prognostic value, genomic alterations, molecular function, immune function, and immunotherapeutic predictive ability of PTPN2 in human cancers using the TCGA, GTEx, CGGA, GEO, cBioPortal, STRING, TISCH, TIMER2.0, ESTIMATE, and TIDE databases. Furthermore, the CCK-8 assay was utilized to detect the effect of PTPN2 on cell proliferation. Cell immunofluorescence analysis was performed to probe the cellular localization of PTPN2. Western blot was applied to examine the molecular targets downstream of PTPN2. Finally, a Nomogram model was constructed using the TCGA-LGG cohort and evaluated with calibration curves and time-dependent ROCs. Results PTPN2 was highly expressed in most cancers and was linked to poor prognosis in ACC, GBM, LGG, KICH, and PAAD, while the opposite was true in OV, SKCM, and THYM. PTPN2 knockdown promoted the proliferation of melanoma cells, while significantly inhibiting proliferation in colon cancer and glioblastoma cells. In addition, TC-PTP, encoded by the PTPN2 gene, was primarily localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm and could negatively regulate the JAK/STAT and MEK/ERK pathways. Strikingly, PTPN2 knockdown significantly enhanced the abundance of PD-L1. PTPN2 was abundantly expressed in Mono/Macro cells and positively correlated with multiple immune infiltrating cells, especially CD8+ T cells. Notably, DLBC, LAML, OV, and TGCT patients in the PTPN2-high group responded better to immunotherapy, while the opposite was true in ESCA, KIRC, KIRP, LIHC, and THCA. Finally, the construction of a Nomogram model on LGG exhibited a high prediction accuracy. Conclusion Immune checkpoint PTPN2 is a powerful biomarker for predicting prognosis and the efficacy of immunotherapy in cancers. Mechanistically, PTPN2 negatively regulates the JAK/STAT and MEK/ERK pathways and the abundance of PD-L1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Tang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong 256603, China
| | - Xue Sui
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, Shandong 256603, China
| | - Yongshuo Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong 256603, China,Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China,Corresponding author. Department of Clinical Laboratory, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, Shandong 256603, China.
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18
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Zhang L, Zhang B, Li L, Ye Y, Wu Y, Yuan Q, Xu W, Wen X, Guo X, Nian S. Novel targets for immunotherapy associated with exhausted CD8 + T cells in cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022; 149:2243-2258. [PMID: 36107246 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04326-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
In response to prolonged stimulation by tumour antigens, T cells gradually become exhausted. There is growing evidence that exhausted T cells not only lose their potent effector functions but also express multiple inhibitory receptors. Checkpoint blockade (CPB) therapy can improve cancer by reactivating exhausted effector cell function, leading to durable clinical responses, but further improvements are needed given the limited number of patients who benefit from treatment, even with autoimmune complications. Here, we suggest, based on recent advances that tumour antigens are the primary culprits of exhaustion, followed by some immune cells and cytokines that also play an accomplice role in the exhaustion process, and we also propose that chronic stress-induced hypoxia and hormones also play an important role in promoting T-cell exhaustion. Understanding the classification of exhausted CD8+ T-cell subpopulations and their functions is important for the effectiveness of immune checkpoint blockade therapies. We mapped the differentiation of T-cell exhausted subpopulations by changes in transcription factors, indicating that T-cell exhaustion is a dynamic developmental process. Finally, we summarized the novel immune checkpoints associated with depletion in recent years and combined them with bioinformatics to construct a web of exhaustion-related immune checkpoints with the aim of finding novel therapeutic targets associated with T-cell exhaustion in malignant tumours, aiming to revive the killing ability of exhausted T cells and restore anti-tumour immunity through combined targeted immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Zhang
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Lin Li
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yingchun Ye
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yuchuan Wu
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Qing Yuan
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Wenfeng Xu
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Sichuan, 646000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Wen
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xiyuan Guo
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China.
- Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Medical Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
| | - Siji Nian
- Public Center of Experimental Technology, The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, No 1, Xianglin road, Luzhou City, 646000, Sichuan Province, China.
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19
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Song J, Lan J, Tang J, Luo N. PTPN2 in the Immunity and Tumor Immunotherapy: A Concise Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231710025. [PMID: 36077422 PMCID: PMC9456094 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231710025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PTPN2 (protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor 2), also called TCPTP (T cell protein tyrosine phosphatase), is a member of the PTP family signaling proteins. Phosphotyrosine-based signaling of this non-transmembrane protein is essential for regulating cell growth, development, differentiation, survival, and migration. In particular, PTPN2 received researchers’ attention when Manguso et al. identified PTPN2 as a cancer immunotherapy target using in vivo CRISPR library screening. In this review, we attempt to summarize the important functions of PTPN2 in terms of its structural and functional properties, inflammatory reactions, immunomodulatory properties, and tumor immunity. PTPN2 exerts synergistic anti-inflammatory effects in various inflammatory cells and regulates the developmental differentiation of immune cells. The diversity of PTPN2 effects in different types of tumors makes it a potential target for tumor immunotherapy.
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20
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Tang X, Qi C, Zhou H, Liu Y. Critical roles of PTPN family members regulated by non-coding RNAs in tumorigenesis and immunotherapy. Front Oncol 2022; 12:972906. [PMID: 35957898 PMCID: PMC9360549 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.972906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Since tyrosine phosphorylation is reversible and dynamic in vivo, the phosphorylation state of proteins is controlled by the opposing roles of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPs), both of which perform critical roles in signal transduction. Of these, intracellular non-receptor PTPs (PTPNs), which belong to the largest class I cysteine PTP family, are essential for the regulation of a variety of biological processes, including but not limited to hematopoiesis, inflammatory response, immune system, and glucose homeostasis. Additionally, a substantial amount of PTPNs have been identified to hold crucial roles in tumorigenesis, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance, and inhibitors of PTPNs have promising applications due to striking efficacy in antitumor therapy. Hence, the aim of this review is to summarize the role played by PTPNs, including PTPN1/PTP1B, PTPN2/TC-PTP, PTPN3/PTP-H1, PTPN4/PTPMEG, PTPN6/SHP-1, PTPN9/PTPMEG2, PTPN11/SHP-2, PTPN12/PTP-PEST, PTPN13/PTPL1, PTPN14/PEZ, PTPN18/PTP-HSCF, PTPN22/LYP, and PTPN23/HD-PTP, in human cancer and immunotherapy and to comprehensively describe the molecular pathways in which they are implicated. Given the specific roles of PTPNs, identifying potential regulators of PTPNs is significant for understanding the mechanisms of antitumor therapy. Consequently, this work also provides a review on the role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in regulating PTPNs in tumorigenesis and progression, which may help us to find effective therapeutic agents for tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Tang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, China
| | - Chumei Qi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Dazhou Women and Children’s Hospital, Dazhou, China
| | - Honghong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of RNA Biology, Center for Big Data Research in Health, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Honghong Zhou, ; Yongshuo Liu,
| | - Yongshuo Liu
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Honghong Zhou, ; Yongshuo Liu,
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21
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Beltrán-Navarro YM, Reyes-Cruz G, Vázquez-Prado J. P-Rex1 Signaling Hub in Lower Grade Glioma Patients, Found by In Silico Data Mining, Correlates With Reduced Survival and Augmented Immune Tumor Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2022; 12:922025. [PMID: 35875157 PMCID: PMC9300953 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.922025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Systematic analysis of tumor transcriptomes, combined with deep genome sequencing and detailed clinical assessment of hundreds of patients, constitutes a powerful strategy aimed to identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets to guide personalized treatments. Oncogenic signaling cascades are integrated by multidomain effector proteins such as P-Rex1, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the Rac GTPase (RacGEF), known to promote metastatic dissemination of cancer cells. We hypothesized that patients with high P-Rex1 expression and reduced survival might be characterized by a particular set of signaling proteins co-expressed with this effector of cell migration as a central component of a putative signaling hub indicative of poor prognosis. High P-Rex1 expression correlated with reduced survival of TCGA Lower Grade Glioma (LGG) patients. Thus, guided by PREX1 expression, we searched for signaling partners of this RacGEF by applying a systematic unbiased in silico data mining strategy. We identified 30 putative signaling partners that also correlated with reduced patient survival. These included GPCRs such as CXCR3, GPR82, FZD6, as well as MAP3K1, MAP2K3, NEK8, DYRK3 and RPS6KA3 kinases, and PTPN2 and PTPN22 phosphatases, among other transcripts of signaling proteins and phospho-substrates. This PREX1 signaling hub signature correlated with increased risk of shorter survival of LGG patients from independent datasets and coincided with immune and endothelial transcriptomic signatures, indicating that myeloid infiltration and tumor angiogenesis might contribute to worsen brain tumor pathology. In conclusion, P-Rex1 and its putative signaling partners in LGG are indicative of a signaling landscape of the tumor microenvironment that correlates with poor prognosis and might guide the characterization of signaling targets leading the eventual development of immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - José Vázquez-Prado
- Department of Pharmacology, Cinvestav-IPN, Mexico City, Mexico
- *Correspondence: José Vázquez-Prado,
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