Targeting myeloid checkpoint Siglec-10 reactivates antitumor immunity and improves anti-programmed cell death 1 efficacy in gastric cancer

Abstract

Objective: Immunotherapy has not yielded satisfactory therapeutic responses in gastric cancer (GC). However, targeting myeloid checkpoints holds promise for expanding the potential of immunotherapy. This study aims to evaluate the critical role of Siglec-10⁺ tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in regulating antitumor immunity and to explore the potential of the myeloid checkpoint Siglec-10 as an interventional target.

Design: Siglec-10⁺ TAMs were assessed based on immunohistochemistry on tumor microarrays and RNA-sequencing data. Flow cytometry, RNA sequencing, and single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis were employed to characterize the phenotypic and transcriptional features of Siglec-10⁺ TAMs and their impact on CD8⁺ T cell-mediated antitumor immunity. The effectiveness of Siglec-10 blockade, either alone or in combination with anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), was evaluated using an ex vivo GC tumor fragment platform based on fresh tumor tissues.

Results: Siglec-10 was predominantly expressed on TAMs in GC, and associated with tumor progression. In Zhongshan Hospital cohort, Siglec-10⁺ TAMs predicted unfavorable prognosis (n=446, p<0.001) and resistance to adjuvant chemotherapy (n=331, p<0.001), which were further validated in exogenous cohorts. In the Samsung Medical Center cohort, Siglec-10⁺ TAMs demonstrated inferior response to pembrolizumab in GC (n=45, p=0.008). Furthermore, Siglec-10⁺ TAMs exhibited an immunosuppressive phenotype and hindered T cell-mediated antitumor immune response. Finally, blocking Siglec-10 reinvigorated the antitumor immune response and synergistically enhances anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in an ex vivo GC tumor fragment platform.

Conclusions: In GC, the myeloid checkpoint Siglec-10 contributes to the regulation of immunosuppressive property of TAMs and promotes the depletion of CD8⁺ T cells, ultimately facilitating immune evasion. Targeting Siglec-10 represents a potential strategy for immunotherapy in GC.

Keywords: Biomarkers, Tumor; Immunotherapy; Macrophages; Tumor Escape; Tumor Microenvironment.