Open AccessBET protein degradation triggers DR5-mediated immunogenic cell death to suppress colorectal cancer and potentiate immune checkpoint blockade
Author(s) -
Jingshan Tong,
Xiao Tan,
Denise Risnik,
Man Gao,
Xiangping Song,
Kaylee Ermine,
Liangfang Shen,
Shaomeng Wang,
Jian Yu,
Lin Zhang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
oncogene
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.395
H-Index - 342
eISSN - 1476-5594
pISSN - 0950-9232
DOI - 10.1038/s41388-021-02041-8
Subject(s) - bromodomain , cancer research , biology , immune checkpoint , bet inhibitor , protein degradation , carcinogenesis , epigenetics , cancer , colorectal cancer , immune system , microbiology and biotechnology , immunotherapy , immunology , biochemistry , genetics , gene
Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) family proteins are epigenetic readers that play a critical role in oncogenesis by controlling the expression of oncogenes such as c-Myc. Targeting BET family proteins has recently emerged as a promising anticancer strategy. However, the molecular mechanisms by which cancer cells respond to BET inhibition are not well understood. In this study, we found that inducing the degradation of BET proteins by the proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTAC) approach potently suppressed the growth of colorectal cancer (CRC) including patient-derived tumors. Mechanistically, BET degradation transcriptionally activates Death Receptor 5 (DR5) to trigger immunogenic cell death (ICD) in CRC cells. Enhanced DR5 induction further sensitizes CRC cells with a mutation in Speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP). Furthermore, DR5 is indispensable for a striking antitumor effect of combining BET degradation and anti-PD-1 antibody, which was well tolerated in mice and almost eradicated syngeneic tumors. Our results demonstrate that BET degradation triggers DR5-mediated ICD to potently suppress CRC and potentiate immune checkpoint blockade. These results provide a rationale, mechanistic insights, and potential biomarkers for developing a precision CRC therapy by inducing BET protein degradation.