Tumor cell-intrinsic RIG-I signaling governs synergistic effects of immunogenic cancer therapies and checkpoint inhibitors in mice

Eur J Immunol. 2021 Jun;51(6):1531-1534. doi: 10.1002/eji.202049158. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

Abstract

Immunogenic cancer therapies, including radiation and hypomethylating agents, such as 5-azacytidine, rely on tumor cell-intrinsic activation of the RNA receptor RIG-I for their synergism with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Possible RIG-I ligands are small nuclear RNA (snRNA) and endogenous retroviral elements (ERV) leaking from the nucleus during programmed cell death.

Keywords: Cancer immunotherapy; Checkpoint inhibitors; Epigenetic therapy; Nucleic acid receptors; RIG-I.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Azacitidine / therapeutic use*
  • Chemoradiotherapy
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Synergism
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Melanoma / immunology*
  • Melanoma / therapy
  • Melanoma, Experimental
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Robo3 protein, mouse
  • Azacitidine