A small molecule inhibitor of PTP1B and PTPN2 enhances T cell anti-tumor immunity

S Liang, E Tran, X Du, J Dong, H Sudholz… - Nature …, 2023 - nature.com
Nature Communications, 2023nature.com
The inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatases 1B (PTP1B) and N2 (PTPN2) has emerged
as an exciting approach for bolstering T cell anti-tumor immunity. ABBV-CLS-484 is a
PTP1B/PTPN2 inhibitor in clinical trials for solid tumors. Here we have explored the
therapeutic potential of a related small-molecule-inhibitor, Compound-182. We demonstrate
that Compound-182 is a highly potent and selective active site competitive inhibitor of
PTP1B and PTPN2 that enhances T cell recruitment and activation and represses the growth …
Abstract
The inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatases 1B (PTP1B) and N2 (PTPN2) has emerged as an exciting approach for bolstering T cell anti-tumor immunity. ABBV-CLS-484 is a PTP1B/PTPN2 inhibitor in clinical trials for solid tumors. Here we have explored the therapeutic potential of a related small-molecule-inhibitor, Compound-182. We demonstrate that Compound-182 is a highly potent and selective active site competitive inhibitor of PTP1B and PTPN2 that enhances T cell recruitment and activation and represses the growth of tumors in mice, without promoting overt immune-related toxicities. The enhanced anti-tumor immunity in immunogenic tumors can be ascribed to the inhibition of PTP1B/PTPN2 in T cells, whereas in cold tumors, Compound-182 elicited direct effects on both tumor cells and T cells. Importantly, treatment with Compound-182 rendered otherwise resistant tumors sensitive to α-PD-1 therapy. Our findings establish the potential for small molecule inhibitors of PTP1B and PTPN2 to enhance anti-tumor immunity and combat cancer.
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