EpCAM Signaling Promotes Tumor Progression and Protein Stability of PD-L1 through the EGFR Pathway

Abstract

Although epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) has previously been shown to promote tumor progression, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we report that the EGF-like domain I within the extracellular domain of EpCAM (EpEX) binds EGFR, activating both AKT and MAPK signaling to inhibit forkhead transcription factor O3a (FOXO3a) function and stabilize PD-L1 protein, respectively. Treatment with the EpCAM neutralizing antibody, EpAb2-6, inhibited AKT and FOXO3a phosphorylation, increased FOXO3a nuclear translocation, and upregulated high temperature requirement A2 (HtrA2) expression to promote apoptosis while decreasing PD-L1 protein levels to enhance the cytotoxic activity of CD8⁺ T cells. In vivo, EpAb2-6 markedly extended survival in mouse metastasis and orthotopic models of human colorectal cancer. The combination of EpAb2-6 with atezolizumab, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, almost completely eliminated tumors. Moreover, the number of CD8⁺ T cells in combination-treated tumors was increased compared with atezolizumab alone. Our findings suggest a new combination strategy for cancer immunotherapy in patients with EpCAM-expressing tumors. SIGNIFICANCE: This study shows that treatment with an EpCAM neutralizing antibody promotes apoptosis while decreasing PD-L1 protein to enhance cytotoxic activity of CD8⁺ T cells.