EZH2 Inhibition Activates a dsRNA-STING-Interferon Stress Mechanism that Potentiates Response to PD-1 Check-Point Blockade in Prostate Cancer
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ABSTRACT: Prostate cancers are considered immunologically ‘cold’ tumors given the very few patients who respond to checkpoint inhibitor therapy (CPI). Recently, enrichment of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs) predicts a favorable response to CPI across various disease sites. The enhancer of zeste homolog-2 (EZH2) is over-expressed in prostate cancer and is known to negatively regulate ISGs. Here, we demonstrate that a majority of ISGs are not directly silenced by EZH2 mediated H3K27me3 deposition, but instead in a poised chromatin state associated with accessible chromatin (ATAC+) and H3K27ac deposition. Inhibition of EZH2 catalytic activity in prostate cancer models activates a dsRNA-STING-ISG cellular stress response upregulating genes involved in antigen presentation, Th-1 chemokine signaling, and interferon (IFN) response, including PD-L1 that is dependent on STING activation. EZH2 inhibition combined with PD-1 CPI significantly enhances anti-tumor response dependent on up-regulation of tumor PD-L1 expression. Further, combination therapy significantly increases intratumoral trafficking of activated CD8+ T-cells and M1 tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) with concurrent loss of M2 TAMs. Our study identifies EZH2 as a potent inhibitor of antitumor immunity and responsiveness to CPI. This data suggests EZH2 inhibition is a novel therapeutic direction to enhance prostate cancer response to PD-1 CPI.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE146076 | GEO | 2020/10/01
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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