PBRM1 loss defines a nonimmunogenic tumor phenotype associated with checkpoint inhibitor resistance in renal carcinoma

Abstract

A non-immunogenic tumor microenvironment (TME) is a significant barrier to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) response. The impact of Polybromo-1 (PBRM1) on TME and response to ICB in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains to be resolved. Here we show that PBRM1/Pbrm1 deficiency reduces the binding of brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1) to the IFNγ receptor 2 (Ifngr2) promoter, decreasing STAT1 phosphorylation and the subsequent expression of IFNγ target genes. An analysis of 3 independent patient cohorts and of murine pre-clinical models reveals that PBRM1 loss is associated with a less immunogenic TME and upregulated angiogenesis. Pbrm1 deficient Renca subcutaneous tumors in mice are more resistance to ICB, and a retrospective analysis of the IMmotion150 RCC study also suggests that PBRM1 mutation reduces benefit from ICB. Our study sheds light on the influence of PBRM1 mutations on IFNγ-STAT1 signaling and TME, and can inform additional preclinical and clinical studies in RCC.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
May 01, 2020
Source ID
10.1038/s41467-020-15959-6

Entities

People

  • Anh Hoang
  • Christine B Peterson
  • Daniel J. Mcgrail
  • Eric Jonasch
  • Haifeng Zhu
  • Kathryn E. Beckermann
  • Margarita Martinez-moczygemba
  • Nidhi Sahni
  • Nizar M. Tannir
  • Patrick G. Pilie
  • Scott M. Haake
  • Sevinj Isgandrova
  • Shiaw-Yih Lin
  • Truong Lam
  • W. Kimryn Rathmell
  • Wen Kong
  • Xian-De Liu
  • Xuesong Zhang

Organizations

  • National Cancer Institute
  • United States Department of Defense

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Oncology (Cancer Research).