Therapeutic strategies targeting uPAR potentiate anti-PD-1 efficacy in diffuse-type gastric cancer

Sci Adv. 2022 May 27;8(21):eabn3774. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abn3774. Epub 2022 May 25.

Abstract

The diffuse-type gastric cancer (DGC) is a subtype of gastric cancer (GC) associated with low HER2 positivity rate and insensitivity to chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Here, we identify urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) as a potential therapeutic target for DGC. We have developed a novel anti-uPAR monoclonal antibody, which targets the domains II and III of uPAR and blocks the binding of urokinase-type plasminogen activator to uPAR. We show that the combination of anti-uPAR and anti-Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) remarkably inhibits tumor growth and prolongs survival via multiple mechanisms, using cell line-derived xenograft and patient-derived xenograft mouse models. Furthermore, uPAR chimeric antigen receptor-expressing T cells based on the novel anti-uPAR effectively kill DGC patient-derived organoids and exhibit impressive survival benefit in the established mouse models, especially when combined with PD-1 blockade therapy. Our study provides a new possibility of DGC treatment by targeting uPAR in a unique manner.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / immunology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor* / immunology
  • Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator* / immunology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Stomach Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator
  • Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator