CDK7 Inhibition Potentiates Genome Instability Triggering Anti-tumor Immunity in Small Cell Lung Cancer

Cancer Cell. 2020 Jan 13;37(1):37-54.e9. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2019.11.003. Epub 2019 Dec 26.

Abstract

Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7) is a central regulator of the cell cycle and gene transcription. However, little is known about its impact on genomic instability and cancer immunity. Using a selective CDK7 inhibitor, YKL-5-124, we demonstrated that CDK7 inhibition predominately disrupts cell-cycle progression and induces DNA replication stress and genome instability in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) while simultaneously triggering immune-response signaling. These tumor-intrinsic events provoke a robust immune surveillance program elicited by T cells, which is further enhanced by the addition of immune-checkpoint blockade. Combining YKL-5-124 with anti-PD-1 offers significant survival benefit in multiple highly aggressive murine models of SCLC, providing a rationale for new combination regimens consisting of CDK7 inhibitors and immunotherapies.

Keywords: CDK7; YKL-5-124; anti-tumor immunity; cell cycle; genome instability; immune checkpoint blockade; immunotherapy; replication stress; single-cell analysis; small cell lung cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Chemokine CXCL9 / metabolism
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Activating Kinase
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / genetics*
  • DNA Damage
  • Female
  • Genomic Instability*
  • Humans
  • Immune System
  • Inflammation
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Micronucleus Tests
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / drug therapy
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / genetics*
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • CXCL9 protein, human
  • Chemokine CXCL9
  • IFNG protein, human
  • PDCD1 protein, human
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Pyrazoles
  • Pyrroles
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • YKL-5-124
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Activating Kinase