The ubiquitin ligase MDM2 sustains STAT5 stability to control T cell-mediated antitumor immunity

Abstract

Targeting the p53-MDM2 pathway to reactivate tumor p53 is a chemotherapeutic approach. However, the involvement of this pathway in CD8⁺ T cell-mediated antitumor immunity is unknown. Here, we report that mice with MDM2 deficiency in T cells exhibit accelerated tumor progression and a decrease in tumor-infiltrating CD8⁺ T cell survival and function. Mechanistically, MDM2 competes with c-Cbl for STAT5 binding, reduces c-Cbl-mediated STAT5 degradation and enhances STAT5 stability in tumor-infiltrating CD8⁺ T cells. Targeting the p53-MDM2 interaction with a pharmacological agent, APG-115, augmented MDM2 in T cells, thereby stabilizing STAT5, boosting T cell immunity and synergizing with cancer immunotherapy. Unexpectedly, these effects of APG-115 were dependent on p53 and MDM2 in T cells. Clinically, MDM2 abundance correlated with T cell function and interferon-γ signature in patients with cancer. Thus, the p53-MDM2 pathway controls T cell immunity, and targeting this pathway may treat patients with cancer regardless of tumor p53 status.